everything. san francisco has a lot to do all the time. it's a great place for locals. on the weekends, try to check out the local restaurants and cafes.

Food and Dining

the cafeteria offers a lot of different options that suit almost everyone's tastes. however, the food does not change often and can get boring. still, if you're looking to eat healthy there are many options available.

Dorm Life

housing is terrible after the first year. but the freshman dorms are pretty nice (especially considering that they are for freshman).

Academic Rigor

the rigor on the class depends on the professor. some professors are easier than others, but that can be said for any university. however, sometimes you learn the most from the most difficult professors so don't be afraid to try them either.

Tips for prospective students

be prepared for the hills and the steps, there are a lot of them. if you must have a class in lone mountain, try to plan all of your classes up there for the day or make the class your first class of the day.

In three sentences

it is a great school for a liberal arts education! the professors are great and truly care about you. it is a good school if you are looking for a personal connection with the community.

Dean from Fernley, NV

Public Safety is always on the move at USF and they even offer a shuttle service for students to get home or back to campus safely at night.

Greek Life

I am a member of Pi Kappa Phi and I can say Greek Life on campus is the best at USF. I have made friends in all of the sororities and fraternities. We all support each other and it is like a family at USF.

Clubs and Activities

There are countless clubs at USF and they all have great leaders. If you want to get involved or want to be a leader on campus, go to the involvement fair and sign up for a club on campus.

Great for these types of students

Great for students who want a good place to succeed all while looking for a liberal place to learn.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Go greek at USF. Greek life is the best decision I made in terms of social life and philanthropy.

Bang for the buck

I am paying A LOT of money to go hear but I think it is worth it considering the opportunities this University and the city provide.

What to do for fun

It is SAN FRANCISCO! There is everything and anything you could want in this city. I am a DJ so I go around to all the clubs and embrace the music culture of SF. My friend is a marathon runner and is running a different marathon every month. The opportunities are endless.

Food and Dining

It will do the job to feed you and keep you well-nourished but you will quickly get over the food.

Dorm Life

The people in the dorms are great but you may find it hard to sleep some nights when the other people across the hall are being super noisy. However, you will make some great friends in the dorms so definitely don't take the camaraderie for granted.

Academic Rigor

My classes were challenging but not to the point where a good study plan didn't help. As long as you are on top of your academics and studying, you will/can pass your classes with high marks.

Tips for prospective students

If you are the typical 3.8+GPA student who has great extracurricular activities then you are in. This University doesn't look for Stanford test scores but they want to see people who are high achievers that want to succeed.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco is a great place to learn and explore San Francisco at the same time. This University is extremely costly to attend so look at your financial aid first. Also, the dorms are not the best but you only have to spend the first year there.

Courtney from Elk Grove, CA

01/14/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
4 of 87

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

There are university police constantly patrolling the campus, and since it's not very big it seems like they are always around. They have emergency and non-emergency numbers to call and regardless of which one you call, someone will show up or help you in a matter of minutes.

Greek Life

There are a few sororities and fraternities on campus and from what I've seen they seem to be very close-knit and like family. They have lots of events that members can participate in and sometimes other people can attend as well.

Clubs and Activities

There are a lot of campus activities that clubs organize or are put on by the school itself. There are also a good amount of sports teams, but no one seems to really get into the games and there really needs to be more school spirit.

Great for these types of students

Great for people who want to go to a small school but in a great location. The university is focused on learning but it is still a very laid-back feel on campus. Also good for people who like to explore. Golden Gate Park is just a few blocks away as well as Haight Ashbury, and the beach is only a few miles (a small bus ride from campus). Although the city is 7x7 square miles there is always something new and exciting to find.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

In the Lone Mountain building there is a special book room that looks exactly like the Hogwarts library in Harry Potter.

Bang for the buck

EXPENSIVE. That would be the one word to describe it. Being a private university, they charge a lot more than other schools do, but they are pretty good at giving financial aid and have a lot of opportunities to help students pay for tuition.

What to do for fun

Most of the fun activities happen off-campus, but being San Francisco there is always something for people to do.

Food and Dining

On-campus dining is expensive. The meal plan is a little over $2000 a semester and some people still run out of money before the semester is over. They choices they have in the dining halls are good, but can get a little repetitive. However, the off-campus dining is amazing. Everything you can think of is within a few blocks, whether you want sushi, burgers, pizza, pho, or anything you crave, it's probably within walking distance of the campus.

Dorm Life

The dorms are decent. There are some halls (mostly Hayes-Healy and Gillson) that get a bad reputation for being dirty and having more problems than others. They are definitely not large, but the school is also in a big city so there isn't room to build deluxe suites. They are a good fit for 2-3 people. The only downside is that there are communal showers which seems horrible at first, but once you get used to it and comfortable with sharing a bathroom with so many people it gets better.

Academic Rigor

While the school may not be the highest in regards to it's academics, the nursing program (which I am in) is top notch. The only allow a certain number of people into the program each year and the classes are mostly difficult. They definitely prepare you for entering the field of nursing with clinicals and hands-on classes, and I'm sure that no one in the program would describe it as easy.

Tips for prospective students

If you call or email the Admissions office you can talk to the representative from the area where you live and they can give you tips on getting in. There are also a lot of events for prospective students and if it is possible you should definitely visit the campus.

In three sentences

Everyone is welcoming and makes you feel like you really belong here. The campus and it's people are here to make sure you get an amazing education and learn valuable life skills. Not to mention it's in central San Francisco so I really feel like I am going to the University of the Best City ever!

Amie from Phoenix, AZ

01/12/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 4 people found this review useful.
5 of 87

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

I feel so safe at campus. I have seen no incidents occur. They have the campus cops patrol at night and they check our dorms and make sure there is no foul play or anything. Also, a resource I know about but haven't used yet is if you are not too far from the school and you don't feel safe to walk home there is a number you can call at the school and an escort will pick you up and get you back to the school. It is 24-hours. They care about safety at the school. There are many numbers we can call to maintain our well-being and to stay safe.

Greek Life

The Greek Life is not large like it is at other schools, but it is still present on campus. I am not in a sorority, but one of my roommates is and she tells me all about it. They still had to do the rush week I think it's called and they still had to be accepted into the sorority/fraternity. They still have fees and activities. They just don't have housing. Although small at USF, it still gives you connections, the Greek Life label, and everything else any other school's Greek life can give you.

Clubs and Activities

There are clubs and activies for all different cultures and all different personalities. There is poetry club, culture clubs, dancing clubs, spirit clubs, club and intramural clubs, gaming clubs, and much more.

Great for these types of students

USF is great for any student. There is something for everyone and for every type of student. The school is diverse, there are many clubs to represent different races and cultures and different personalities and interests. It is perfect for healthy people who eat right and love to exercise also I've noticed. But, I am not that person and the school is still great for me.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

I am still in my first year at USF, so I do not know any unusual traditions or locations on campus yet. But, I can name the most talked about location, which is Lone Mountain. Ask any student at USF about Lone Mountain and they will know exactly what you are talking about. Lone Mountain is a part of campus across the street where some classes take place. It's probably four flights of stairs to the top of the campus, because it us up on a huge hill. The view from the top of the stairs at the campus is beautiful though and everyone always takes pictures from up there.

Bang for the buck

It is expensive to attend USF. For me, I spend zero dollars to go here because I am a Gates Millennium Scholar and got a few other scholarships. However, invest in your education. Invest in a school that is worth it. USF may be expensive, but tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. And, you really get the most bang for your buck. You get to attend games free, we have a yearly concert that only costs us ten bucks. We have access to a high-quality gym, there are many activities, field trips in some classes, resources there for you, small classes, highly-qualified teachers, a clean and safe campus, and much more.

What to do for fun

The campus usually has really cool events for students, but the campus life is not big like at other schools. Everyone goes off campus for parties and other events. It is San Francisco, there is always something to do for fun, just step out of your door: Movies in the park, shopping, the beach, sight-seeing, open mic, coffee houses, restaurants, Haight Ashbury (my favorite), Alcatraz prison, festivals every weekend, neighborhood concerts all the time, downtown events, and much more! Always free fun events too :)

Food and Dining

We don't have a McDonald's or Panda Express or anything in our cafeteria like our schools. It's kind of sad, but I would get fat if we did so I guess it's good we don't. The school, like the city, is health-conscious. The cafeteria has a contract with this food company so they make our food and run the cafeteria. There are different booths for different appetites you may be having. An american food section, special section, mexican food section, italian food section, vegan section, salad section, a pastry/coffee section, a little market section, and a asian food section. We also have another cafeteria in the University Center called the undercafe, the floor under the cafeteria with a lounge and the bookstore and a market/grill which is open when the cafeteria closes for those late night study people or owls. They sell a lot of healthy stuff, but also a lot of other food so I guess you can say it's pretty balanced. But, besides cafeteria food to use your meal plan, it is really cool because you can use your meal plan for non-food the school market sells! That is how I get washing powder, dish liquid, toothpaste, shower gel, etc. Then, you can't forget about the amazing food off-campus all over San Francisco.

Dorm Life

I think every freshman should live on campus their first year. The only thing I dislike about the dorms I was in, Gilson, is that they need to be renovated soon, and the community showers/bathrooms. Besides that, I love living on campus. I met most of my good friends in the dorms whether it was on the floor, in dorm activities that occurred, or in the elevator. Also, it gives you the chance to better connect with the school and the campus since you are already there. I have been able to go to office hours and activities more because I live on campus. I also have attended cool events the dorms do, like a Princess Diaries tour and a rap contest. Yes there will probably be some loud people on your floor, but they are respectable and the dorm has quiet hours after a certain time and 24-hour quiet time during finals. I love on-campus living.

Academic Rigor

My classes were very intriguing and I felt that I expanded my knowledge a lot in classes. All the assignments caused me to think and actually do work. In high school, I got by without studying or doing anything because I was that smart. Now, in college I study a lot, spend hours on homework, and am actually challenged like I should be. But, I would say the assignments are more time consuming than they are difficult. The only class where the assignments were a little scary was my ancient philosophy class of course but I even got B+s in that class.

Tips for prospective students

The school, like the city is very hilly so be able to handle walking up-hill and downhill. Always take advantage of available resources if you ever need help or advice or tutoring there are many resources available for your needs. Like cooler weather because San Francisco is in the sixties year-round just about. Also, you do not have to be religious or be catholic like the school is. Religion is faintly present in classrooms and in the school in my opinion. There's a big school church, but besides that it feels like a normal school, so don't let the religious school label obstruct you from attending.

In three sentences

I actually applied to the University of San Francisco last minute. It was a choice that always lingered in my brain, but I never thought I would go that far from home. Without touring the school or talking to anyone from the school, I chose this school and I think it is the best decision I could have made.

Jessica from Temecula, CA

12/28/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 of 87

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What to do for fun

What isn't there to do in San Francisco? There are plenty of places, like Golden Gate Park, to take a walk or go hiking. There are also fun little enclaves, such as Castro Street or Chinatown, that give you a taste of diversity. There are also great thrift shops on Haight and Ashbury for those that are into vintage items. Twin Peaks is a great place for a view of the city, and if you love shopping, then downtown is your place to go. There are also concerts from time to time in the city and when it's baseball season, make sure to go watch the SF Giants at the stadium!

Food and Dining

Sometimes it gets pretty repetitive of what food is served in the cafeteria, but the food and drinks that are sold are always high quality and taste delicious! There is a lot to choose from and usually, there are different foods served each day at certain stations. Even when your tired of eating from the same 4 dining areas on campus, there are so many different places to eat in San Francisco that are easy to access, since we get a free bus pass with tuition! You can go out to the city with your friends and eat everything from Greek, to Chinese, to Indian food.

Dorm Life

The people you dorm with (especially your floor mates) are always super friendly and a lot of us leave our doors open so that we can hang out with each other whenever we want and there is always an activity to do. Your floor mates are always down to go out and hang or even roam the city. It is really safe in the dorms and it is so easy to make friends with everyone.

Academic Rigor

It honestly depends on what professor you have and what type of classes you are taking, but generally, you have to put some effort to get a B, and a significant amount of effort to get an A. The academics in regards to workload is not that hard, but you get a lot out of the course if you actually try.

Tips for prospective students

Because USF is located in one of the most busiest and diverse cities, it may be hard to focus on academics when there are so many things you want to do in the city. Like for any other school, time management is crucial for success. Also, just because there are less students, doesn't mean it will be easier to connect with professors and other students if you don't put yourself out there. The students and staff are super friendly, so don't be afraid to talk to them; especially at office hours. Just be safe and make sure you don't sign up for 8am classes (unless you are for sure a morning person).

In three sentences

When it comes to diversity, I would say USF is one of the most diverse campuses in both student body and teachers. There is so much support from the staff and everything is so personal and targeted to benefit students. Not only is USF a great community for learning and opportunities, the location is self is absolutely spectacular and there is never a dull moment.

Emily from La Grange, CA

Very safe campus with safety officers regularly walking the campus as well as required key card access past a certain time in the evenings and early mornings.

Clubs and Activities

There are a fair amount of clubs which include, glitter group, poetry clubs, intercultural clubs, debate team, intramural sports as well as club sports, and many more that are listed on the University's website.

Great for these types of students

International LGBTQ Those seeking to change the world Those who are determined to become well-rounded and learn to advocate for others and adequately and efficiently express themselves Those interested in perusing degrees in business and economics

Bang for the buck

You have access to a fantastic career center with internship opportunities A full service gym Rigorous academics Professor availability to help on assignments Extensive library system in connection with libraries across the west to obtain any book that you would need including automatic database access

What to do for fun

Most campus events are either sports, social justice or theatrical. There are also events such as Stress less day where they have massages, food and puppies to play with that come for mid-terms and finals, they also have many career fairs and opportunities to interview with large companies. In the city, the options are limitless. Whatever you want to do for fun you can be sure to find it in San Francisco with its 49 miles of packed potential with every kind of event possible within it.

Food and Dining

There are multiple cafeterias on campus. One on the upper campus and another one the lower campus and yet another in near the law school. The food is catered by Bon Appetite and is, lets say, normal food. There are more healthy option here at USF than there are at many other schools, but the variety of food differs day to day. Typically there are two salad bars, a pasta/pizza section, regular cafeteria food, sandwich corner, breakfast stop, fish section, a stop and go store style inlet, and a rotating option section.

Dorm Life

The first year dorms are typical dorms with triples and doubles available with carpet flooring, pine wood bunk beds, desks, chairs and decent closet space. Co-ed dorms are available and separated by floor or co-ed floors are available in a mixed year dorm. There is also an all girls dorm. Dorms require key card access and it is necessary to hold up and show the desk assistant your card indicating that you live in that particular building. Guests must be checked in and out when visiting and cannot stay over night longer than three consecutive nights in a month. Dorms also have ping pong and pool tables, kitchen access and formal and quiet lounges available in specific dorms.

Academic Rigor

Class sizes are small with under 40 students in a typical four credit class. The teachers know your names and require effort to be put into the course and assignments. Depth of knowledge is taught rather than memorization with written exams over multiple choice quizzes. While this is a more difficult way of test taking, it allows for more opportunities to think critically and creatively about the subject matter.

Tips for prospective students

When applying to the university be sure to look into a living learning community as this will be a chance to dive deeper into San Francisco and discover the people who live here and what types of roles you can take on within the progressive society of San Francisco as you come into the city for your first year of university. Be sure to apply for grants and scholarships and take advantage of the full listing of outside scholarships obtained by USF students in the past that the University of San Francisco has on their financial aid web page. Remember to choose your school based on your interests and to check out opportunities off campus in the city in addition to those offered on campus.

In three sentences

Well-rounded education with a focus on obtaining a degree to change the world. A very open and accepting community that creates awareness of all beliefs and cultures. The academics are about depth of knowledge and ability to use what you have learned to help others in society and yourself.

LoveUSF1

11/22/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
8 of 87

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

I'd like to say it's mostly safe on campus. But I have friends who have found their belongings stolen and some people have been robbed on the streets outside of campus (the same block as the school buildings) at odd hours very early in the morning or in the dark. I mostly feel safe here walking around campus.

Greek Life

Greek life isn't like most traditional colleges that have a Greek Row or special housing. Some people are very involved in their social frats/sororities and you can see people on campus wearing shirts or other merchandise showing off Greek letters. I've been only in an academic fraternity, and they're different from social fraternities/sororities so I don't have much more to say.

Clubs and Activities

Getting involved in on campus activities is completely up to you. There's no pressure and if you choose to join a club or whatever, you'll likely find someone who shares similar interests. Some students are passionate about their involvements, so you might get drawn to that type of dedication. Some students couldn't care less. Either way, you can find something or start something if you don't already see it here.

Great for these types of students

This school is great for independent students who want to do their own thing. There isn't much pressure to conform to anything, at least in my experience. I have friends from a bunch of different backgrounds, and if you choose, you can find friends to fit in with if you're particularly concerned about it. There's something for just about every kind of student.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Lone Mountain has possibly the most gorgeous view of any school I've seen, because from the top you have a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the north bay, east bay, and the Twin Peaks. It's beautiful at night and during the day, so make sure you check out the view from Lomo. The view of Lomo is almost just as breathtaking, too!

Bang for the buck

Tuition at this school is high, so be prepared to spend some money or if you're lucky, hopefully you get a good scholarship. I've never heard of a student here who has had a full scholarship, unless you have an outside scholarship in addition to the merit scholarships at USF. Also, the cost of living in San Francisco is high, and this applies to the Bay Area as well. Needless to say, this school is better for you if you have money to pay for all this stuff.

What to do for fun

Go out and explore the city and other places around the bay. It's great that we have so much to see here. You'll just need to be able to pay for transportation and you'll be on your way to lots of sightseeing, good food, and a relaxing time. I promise you you'll find something great to do in the Bay Area.

Food and Dining

There's so much available if you want to eat out but if you're on campus, your options are limited. Many of the food choices on campus are overpriced, but I would say they're around the same cost as your everyday restaurant. If you live on campus and are required to have the meal plan, you will be paying more than you should.

Dorm Life

Hopefully you'll get good neighbors and be a good one yourself, if you get into a dorm. It's harder these days because the student population is expanding beyond the size and number of dorms available, so this year there have been a lot of triple rooms for freshmen. You're better off living in an apartment in that case, if you can get one.

Academic Rigor

Academics are great. If you want to challenge yourself, you're going to have to do it independently because with all the freedom in college, you can easily slack and fall behind. Professors are great and they're mostly helpful with anything you need. Some of my friends haven't had the same luck and struggled. But then again, if you do have a bad professor, it'll last just one semester.

Tips for prospective students

Go to table events on campus where you can chat with people who know more about on- and off-campus activities, internships, and jobs. You can't go wrong when you're curious enough to try to see what's out there. This goes for dorm life, academic success, exploring San Francisco, and everything in between.

In three sentences

I'm glad I chose this school because I never visited the campus but I just had a feeling that I would enjoy it. I was right. Now I'm doing really well, met a lot of people, and I can't complain about much, except that maybe tuition should be less but then again we are a private university in an expensive city...

University of San Francisco is very honorable of their tagline, Change the World from Here, where Here represents San Francisco and the students' minds and hearts. Life in this university is not only restricted in its campus but also extends outwards into the city that holds the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge. Students from around the globe attend the University of San Francisco, so newfound culture is endless!

Leese

05/19/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

10 of 87

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

The campus itself is really safe, but there are definitely a handful of thefts and phone robberies happening around the campus. Keep your phones in your pockets and earbuds out! Be alert and watch out for suspicious persons. Otherwise, no assaults or other violent activities.

Greek Life

None!

What to do for fun

You literally get to live in one of the greatest cities for your college years. You have Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, Downtown, Bars, Academy of Science, China Town, the Mission, Cafes. You'll definitely be kept busy for all 4 years!

Food and Dining

Majority of the students do not find the food very appealing, but it is definitely edible, but pricey. The sandwich booth is great and the soup section. They opened up a crepe booth recently, but it seems to change. I love the breakfast toast your own bagel section with an assortment of cream cheese section.

Dorm Life

Didn't live in the dorms, but Loyola Village, which is an apartment arrangement with kitchen for 20 and over students. Really enjoyed the setup and the location, which is a 7 minute walk from Trader Joes. It has a 24 hour run lobby, which provides access and security.

Academic Rigor

I don't know what the other majors are like, but I can say that the nursing academics are fairly rigorous, but for a good reason.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into by going to a small private Jesuit school! I love being close with my classmates and teachers, so going to a small school is ideal for me. I do more of my outgoing stuff in the city and outside of school. Get ready for the city life!

In three sentences

This University is taught by some of the most caring, enthusiastic, and intelligent professors I have ever known. Love that the classes are around 20-30 students, ensuring that each student gets the attention and classroom learning experience needed. The campus is beautiful with all of its new construction and newly planted trees and flowers!

Michael from Daly City, CA

03/27/2014

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

0 out of 2 people found this review useful.
2 people found this inaccurate.
11 of 87

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

As stated, the program is in a remote place of the Presidio. A lot of tourists and locals using the rock climbing facility next to the program location. If you're dismissed at nighttime, there are no street lights and parking can be far. The US Park Police patrol the area but their are too few to be effective since there are repeated car break-ins and vandalism occurring.

Clubs and Activities

None.

Great for these types of students

If you're rich or don't worry about money and want a title of Doctor by paying for it rather than earning it, then this place is for you.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

All the program practicum sites and speakers are friends of the program that are either retired or out of touch with current trends in psychology. There is a tradition of public service so volunteering is a must. Doing a practicum every year throughout your matriculation is mandatory including over holiday breaks and summertime. Odd and irregular since none of the public schools require this but are APA accredited.

Bang for the buck

If you're unable to get into a funded, public program (Univeristy or State School), it's over a $1,000 a credit hour. Total program tuition is near 140 credit hours and it will increase over time, so each year tuition is an estimate. You can do the math. There are a few loan repayment programs but since it is not APA accredited, those programs are too few and their application process should be reviewed before making a commitment here.

What to do for fun

Not much to do other than view the local Marina District or local businesses near the program location.

Food and Dining

Non-existent again for this program. Since it's located in the Presidio, nothing is around. You will need a car to drive far into the Marina District to find affordable and quick food that isn't restaurant-style table service.

Dorm Life

Non-existent. Have to be rich or have your parents pay for a far too expensive place in SF to live here. Otherwise, get acquainted with BART, MUNI or the FasTrak to get around from more inexpensive places but gentrification rules here. This is a commuter program.

Academic Rigor

Most classes are conducted through media interaction and handouts, i.e. video and powerpoint and photocopies. The professors are nearly all private practitioners and or have largely graduated from other private diploma mills. This, unfortunately, is the dominant factor with persuading potential students to stay away from this place. The books and the content of them are outdated. The professors have an old and outdated viewpoint. They aren't proficient enough to be professors and merely do this to add to their inadequate income of private practice. There is hardly any written assignments. A lot of presentations are required of the student for their grade. And if your unfamiliar with APA guidelines to accreditation and academics, many features of their curriculum will make you unable to pass the EPPP and make you look foolish in the professional world.

Tips for prospective students

USF does have a religious atmosphere and viewpoint. It is a private school and the professors and administrators can simply make up the rules -- this does occur. The student handbook is mishmash of other professional psychology program handbooks and it does not favor the student at all. Nearly all the students come from money of some sort. Predominantly a white and female heavy program and, of course, the San Francisco lifestyle is favored. If you like beer and wine in the program refrigerator, commuting in hellish traffic for hours to go to the most secluded place in SF, going to class 1-2 days a week all day long, having nothing around in the means of food or coffee, and parking lots that are known for vandalism and car break-ins...this place is for you.

In three sentences

DO NOT GO HERE...unless you have money and hard up for a graduate degree. The PsyD program is a money mill that solicits to the student that wishes to negotiate, bargain, and perform the bare minimum for their highly paid degree.

Outgoing, creative, students who want to get involved with more than just their studies..

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Basketball games! Get involved in theater! Campus radio station! Community service!

Bang for the buck

Worth every penny. Many scholarship opportunities. Get involved in campus activities... Don't just hang in the library... Experience campus life!

What to do for fun

Concerts in Golden Gate Park, football, baseball, basketball, art museums, and a wonderful city by the bay to explore.

Food and Dining

Good food and several dining locations. I'm never without food. And there are lots of student oriented restaurants in the nearby neighborhoods.

Dorm Life

I have lived on the dorm for 3 years. It's a great social environment and I have made friends I will stay in touch with forever!

Academic Rigor

Yes, you will have to do some serious school work here. But it's fun! And the professors are there to help!

Tips for prospective students

Go to this college. It's a great education and a great place to meet friends. The San Francisco area is rich with culture, sports, and community involvement. Come see our campus and take the tour! .

In three sentences

USF has wonderful professors and small classes. There are no TAs here... You get to deal directly with the professor for a more in depth learning experience. There is always something to do and get involved in on campus.... fun extracurricular and a myriad of community involvement.

Alice from San Francisco, CA

02/09/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

13 of 87

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What to do for fun

San Francisco is such a beautiful city with so much going on. It's not that big of a city, so don't worry about getting lost; but every little corner has a new hip coffee shop, historical mural, community garden or dorky store. The night life is pretty incredible as well, there is something fun going on every night of the week - and the best part is, most of it is reasonably cheap.

Food and Dining

Cafeterias are cafeterias. But I do have to say that USF's cafeteria is a lot better than many other colleges I visited. They have a good diversity and try to keep things organic and healthy which I love.

Dorm Life

I loved living in the dorms my freshman year! I applied to a living-learning community before arriving at USF, and it enhanced my experience by far. In this community we were a group of 13 students and had 2 classes together both semester, focused on service-learning and fulfilling a lot of core requirements. What was wonderful about the experience is that we all lived together and became very close to one another, making the college transition a lot smoother.

Academic Rigor

I've enjoyed all my classes so far because I feel they are well balanced between challenging me and giving me new perspectives, as well as giving me freedom to explore my own ideas. The professors are also very helpful, they all have weekly office hours and are very friendly (and sometimes they have snacks!).

Tips for prospective students

Get involved! USF provides so many opportunities for new and current students to get to know the campus, from retreats, living-learning communities, clubs, greek life to weekend outdoor adventures.

In three sentences

USF is a very diverse community, I have classmates and friends from all over the world and the states. Because of it's diverse community it is very easy for new students to find their niche,and relate to a lot of people. USF is still a small school, which I love because it provides me with the opportunities to know my professors personally and gives me hands-on activities out of the classroom.

Christopher from Stockton, CA

01/15/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Bang for the buck

There are many different places you could go to here in the city to have fun on the cheap. There are many cheap, delicious restaurants up and down Geary Street, many different theaters to go to for matinee showings, and my personal favorite, 15 dollar tickets for the San Francisco Symphony.

What to do for fun

San Francisco is full of stuff for students to do, see, and experience. There are plenty of great restaurants, theaters, and malls to go to. The SF BART system also allows for adventures to different places as well, such as Bay Street in Emeryville, NFL and MLB games in Oakland, and shopping centers in Dublin.

Food and Dining

The food offered at this school is abundant and are organic and mostly healthy. Vegan, vegetarian, and kosher meals are also offered.

Academic Rigor

Each class will take a lot out of a person. There are plenty of requirements that must be completed on a student's downtime as well as in class.

Tips for prospective students

Always take copious amounts of notes, preferably on a laptop for quick note-taking. Always be jovial to other students: a personal life and social connections are needed in a big city such as this.

In three sentences

USF is an amazingly diverse school. Not only that, but most of the professors also want to see their students succeed. To do this, they give them the most amount of info needed possible for them to succeed.

Freshman at USF

01/11/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

The head of security at USF used to work for the San Francisco police force. There is security around 24/7 and there are apps and phone numbers students can use/ call so that they will be escorted by a security guard whenever they don't feel safe.

Greek Life

There is Greek Life at USF, but Greek houses do not exist. Most sororities and fraternities either center around service work or preparing students for future careers.

Clubs and Activities

USF doesn't have much sports. If you are accustomed to being on a sports team from high school you will have to compromise to being in a sports club, since there is a limited amount of sports teams. There are many clubs at USF and I recommend for students to at least try any club that sounds interesting to them even by the smallest degree. I personally met a lot of people through clubs and they have benefited me in different ways from spiritual pursuits to academic and career orientated interests.

Great for these types of students

USF is great for a variety of students, especially those who love the city of San Francisco itself. USF is a great place for students who are very artsy and explorative to students who want to live in a city with a great night life to students who are ready to embrace as many opportunities as they can to equip them for their future career.

What to do for fun

There isn't much campus life at USF, however you will never find yourself bored with so much to do around the city. Many students spend their free time exploring Golden Gate Park, Haight & Ashbury beaches around San Francisco, Japan Town, the Castro District, and many other cool places. With USF's small community you will easily find a group of people to explore these places with.

Food and Dining

I have been told that USF has better food compared to other universities, but since I haven't lived on any other campus to compare it I would simply describe the cafeteria food as simply 'okay'. USF provides food from Bon Appetite who are known for ethically preparing their food, however pickier students tend to get tired of the food quickly and find it overpriced. If you don't like the food in the cafeteria, there's a grocery store nearby USF and a variety of great restaurants within the city.

Dorm Life

There are some stereotypes that label certain Freshman dorms, while other dorm buildings are more renovated than the others. For the most part students are friendly, freshman dorms, are very close to academic buildings, and the USF security is always around to ensure students feel safe.

Academic Rigor

You will get in what you put into a class just like at any other academic institution. While being at USF I felt like I was being academically challenged in my classes without it ever getting too overwhelming. I noticed that professors learn students' names fairly quickly here and having those small class setting make approaching teachers easier.

Tips for prospective students

I had a different idea of the University of San Francisco from taking tours around the campus before actually attending the school. I recommend talking to current or students at USF to get a more realistic idea of student life at USF.

In three sentences

At the University of San Francisco I am constantly ensured that I am getting a serious education, while being taught by passionate professors. Students at USF adapt to their San Franciscan surroundings with friendly and mellow personalities. It is definitely easy to meet a lot of people at USF with its smaller class sizes and diverse array of students when you are willing to put the best foot forward.

Spenser from San Jose, CA

01/10/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

Everything! There are an endless amount of school sponsored activities that take place both on and off campus for you to attend. In addition to these activities that school has a wide array of clubs, organizations, and sports for you to get involved in. The on campus gym is fantastic and features everything from an olympic pool to regularly scheduled exercises classes. The public transportation in San Francisco is superb and it is quite easy to visit other areas of the city. You can literally spend a semester exploring all that one of San Francisco's districts has to offer. Overall the city is overflowing with activities to do and features something for everyone.

Food and Dining

The food on campus is quite diverse and surprisingly tasty for a college campus. That being said there really are no financial incentives to eat on campus as a majority of the food options are quite pricey (changes are in the works though). Either way you will find yourself eating on campus at one of the two main cafeteria areas and you will be happy that you have access to such an eclectic menu that actually tastes pretty good. Since USF is located in the middle of San Francisco (or just about) there are an innumerable amount of local restaurants that you can check out, some of which have the best food in the world!

Dorm Life

The are a number of dorms available to students with a majority of them being on campus. There are also some dorms located off campus (but still close to campus) if you prefer to live away from the school and eat at local restaurants. Finally they do have special apartment style dorms for students who are junior standing or above the age of 21. Although the cost of dorm life and an accompanying meal plan can be on the expensive side, they are well worth it as they allow you to focus your time on other aspects of your life such as academics and your social life. The RA's are not overly strict in my experience though this is more a matter of who the current RA is at the time.

Academic Rigor

This school is no joke in regards to its academic rigor. Although you will find that many of the general education courses are not overwhelming as the teachers try to ease you into the college process, by the time you hit your major courses you need to be prepared to buckle down if you want to earn higher grades. A majority of the professors are either PhDs or have some level of post graduate education along with a wealth of real world experience in their fields. Since they have achieved so much and know it is possible they hold you to a very high standard as a student. Overall I would say that the school is challenging but it is not overwhelming, it really comes down to a matter of how much effort you are willing to put in.

Tips for prospective students

I recommend visiting the beautiful campus to see it for yourself and taking one of the student led tours (if you can ask for Meghan). The school does feature some majors more than others so ensure that they offer the subject you wish to major in. If you wish to know more the lone mountain campus has a variety of resources you can use to find out more about the school. If you would like a more personal or in depth analysis of certain aspects of the school I encourage you to stop a student and ask them if you can conduct a mini interview. I anticipate that they would be happy to answer any and all questions that they are able to.

In three sentences

This is one of the greatest schools that you can ever hope to attend in regard to its faculty, location, education, and demographics. The school offers a diverse amount of programs sure to fit the need of all their students, which draws a very diverse and unique student body. The school also provides numerous on and off campus activities and clubs that one can engage in so that they will never be bored, unless they want to.

Kerry P.

12/26/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The campus itself is very safe and usually has public safety officers on duty during most of the day. Despite being a safe campus, I would stay cautious whenever being off campus. Even in surrounding streets, there have been instances of robberies, some at gunpoint. As there are many benefits to attending a university set in an overpopulated city, you should always be cautious of your surroundings. However, if you are feeling unsafe, public safety does offer a shuttle within proximities to take you to your destined location.

Clubs and Activities

There is a large abundance of clubs that will satisfy the interest of any student. The Involvement Fair held at the beginning of Fall Semester is the easiest way to learn about the clubs available. There are cultural clubs, social clubs for people with similar interests, and even clubs for people of the same major. Most of these clubs hold on-campus events, such as Diwali Night held by Indian Student Organization. In addition to club events, there are events held by the Campus Activities Board. They are in charge of the concert every spring semester, Late Night at Crossroads â?? an event that occurs every first and third Thursday of the month and allows students to showcase their talents. In addition to these events, USF does have sporting events for the soccer, baseball, and basketball games. Cost of admittance is free and in many occasions, attendants receive free gifts and prizes during the games.

Great for these types of students

USF would be a great match for students who are looking for a small university for their studies. When attending a smaller university, there are higher chances of signing up for classes you want and/or need for the semester. Also in a smaller university, you are able to recognize familiar faces; you will most likely run into the people to meet in or outside of class again. University of San Francisco is also a great option for prospective students who are looking to be inundated in culture and livelihood that only San Francisco can offer. In a city that celebrates uniqueness, San Francisco is an amazing location to discover who you are as a young adult.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

At USF, there is a reading room in Lone Mountain that resembles the library in the Harry Potter movies. Most people have heard of this room, therefore it is often busy with people studying, especially during finals. However, if you have time in between classes or would like to start homework/studying for a test early, then you may be able to grab a table â?? although I would highly suggest against study groups in this location. There is also the Parina Lounge on the UC 3rd floor furnished with comfortable chairs and couches. In addition, there are personal glass conference rooms that have large whiteboards and a television that can link up with a computer through HDMI cables. This location is also popular and can be difficult to find an empty conference room, however, the general space is usually vacant and a great location to meet with study groups or be by yourself.

Bang for the buck

Although tuition is high at University of San Francisco, there are many benefits to attending a private institution. At University of San Francisco, you are assured attention from your professors and academic advisors. At the end of every semester, students must meet with academic advisors in order to plan what classes to take the next semester. These advising appointments are intended to keep track of your progress so far and the classes you need in order to fulfill graduation requirements. Also, considering the city that you will be in the next four years, I would consider USF to be worth the buck. There is no other time to celebrate youth than during your college years â?? what other city would give you the same big city feel but only within 7x7 miles.

What to do for fun

One of the best things about USF is that it is conveniently located in the center of San Francisco. Haight-Asbury is a walking distance from campus. In this neighborhood, you can walk around boutiques and eat at restaurants that exist there. Also in walking distance, is Clement St. This street is infamous for the inexpensive Asian cuisine and markets. If you desire to explore more of San Francisco, there are Muni busses that basically will take you around the entire city, depending on the route. Conveniently, you are given a Muni pass, which will allow you to ride the bus for free. In addition to exploring different neighborhoods, I highly suggest using freecheapsf.com for events that are happening through SF and the Bay Area. This website lists different events occurring throughout the week, such as special admission days of certain museums and free concerts that are held in Golden Gate Park.

Food and Dining

In the main cafeteria, there are various sections that have different dishes. There are some sections that remain consistent with the dishes - such as the pasta section or The Grill -whereas there are other sections â?? like the Global section or Classics- that change dishes daily. Unlike many universities, the cafeteria does not function on a meal points system but rather Flexi Dollars. Flexi is money incorporated into your tuition that can only be used to buy food on campus and is mandatory for all on-campus students. In addition to the main cafeteria, there is a Crossroads Grill/Market and Peetâ??s Coffee counter that is open until midnight. Lastly, there is a small grocery section in Lone Mountain where frozen foods, and other pantry foods are sold. The company that provides all of the food on campus, Bon Appetite, has undergone lots of criticism from students. Many students believe that everything served is highly overpriced and the quality of the food is not satisfactory. Some students even claim Bon Appetite to be a monopoly and corrupted business. Although meals may be overpriced, the cafeteria does provide different options for their students every day.

Dorm Life

A large part of the college experience is the residence hall you are placed in your first year. At USF, there are four dormitories on the main campus â?? Fromm, Phelan, Gillson and Hayes-Healy. Fromm is the all-female residence hall placed adjacently to the library. If location is a determining factor, Fromm is closest to Koret Gym and farthest from the cafeteria. Although I have never lived there personally, past residents have told me that the hall is usually quiet, which can have a positive or negative impact on you dorm experience. Then, there is Phelan Hall, the newly renovated residence hall on campus. Due to this fact, Phelan is the most competitive residence hall to be placed in. On every floor, there is a general lounge furnished with couches, one television, and study table. Phelan also has the nicest bathrooms in comparison to other residence halls on campus. Phelan is also a co-ed dormitory, where males and females live on the same floor together. Next, we have Gillson and Hayes-Healy Hall. Both are located at the bottom on â??Cardiac Hillâ??, a relatively steep hill that separates these residence halls from the main classes. Both Hayes-Healy and Gillson are co-ed dormitories, however, the floors alternate and consists of only one gender. For example, the first floor could be all females and the above would be all males. Both these dorms are in livable conditions, however there are some parts of each building that are run down and are planned to go under renovation.

Academic Rigor

Like any university, there will be difficult and easy courses depending on how determined the student is to earn a good grade. There are professors that grade incredibly difficult and hold high expectations for their students â?? in which I would suggest attending office hours for extra tutoring or making an appointment with the Learning Center, which also provides peer tutoring. The great thing about USF is the class sizes, in which there will be approximately 30 students to 1 professor (unless you are in a lecture hall where there might be up to 75 students). The intimate class size allows professors to know their students and most will make the time to meet with their students if the student reaches out first. I have never encountered a professor that will not meet with their students if asked â?? there have been occurrences where appointments have been rescheduled, but never cancelled.

Tips for prospective students

The first tip I would provide for prospective students is to visit the campus and come with questions when you visit. Although there are plenty of photos and reviews of the university online, a personal visit will allow better idea of the student life, class sizes, and the general vibe of the university. Also, come with questions about the campus â?? you could ask your tour guide for their opinion on certain topics that concern or interest you, such as dorm life or why they personally chose to attend USF.

In three sentences

A relatively small university immersed in the center of a large city fit into 7x7 miles. Despite only being 49 sq. miles, San Francisco has a lot to offer as a city, including infamous landmarks, such as Haight-Ashbury and the Golden Gate Bridge. However, USF will not give you the typical college experience that you would expect; there is no football team and little emphasis on Greek life.

Benedict from San Francisco, CA

10/29/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

Coming from a little town in New England, San Francisco has a lot more to offer in activities than any other place I know. There's literally always something to do for every type of person. You can go clubbing, to comedy clubs, eat at amazing restaurants and cafes, go to the beach, hiking, and lots of shopping.

Food and Dining

For the price you pay at this school, it leaves a lot to be desired about the quality of the food, and service. The cafe staff are pretty slow at serving you over priced under cooked meals.

Dorm Life

I have a gorgeous view of the bay, and Golden Gate Bridge. My dorm-mates are respectable, fun, and courteous. The resident directors are always there if you need help, and look out for your best intentions.

Academic Rigor

This school will definitely challenge your current values and ideas. With a lot of homework. But the teachers here are motivated to help you succeed.

In three sentences

A wonderful school that encourages the students to change the world from here. This school has a beautiful campus that overlooks the city of San Francisco. The teachers and staff here truly care about your well-being, and career interests.

Mariana from Los Angeles, CA

It's actually pretty impressive. Everyone wants students to be safe. Students can get walked over to their dorms or picked up from somewhere else if it's late at night.

What to do for fun

You always have something to do. Whether it be in the city or with friends, you can never be bored in a city like San Francisco.

Food and Dining

At first, the food is amazing because it's stuff most people don't eat on a daily basis. Then it feels repetitive. Even then, for college food, it's pretty tasty.

Dorm Life

I feel I got lucky. All the girls on my side of the floor are really nice. Everyone wants to make friends; nobody's mean.

Academic Rigor

Anyone who says none of their classes are hard is lying. It's college-you can tell the difference between this and high school by the amount of work.It's the way it's supposed to be.

Tips for prospective students

Look at what interests you. The school has a wide range of majors and minors, and probably has something for everyone.

In three sentences

The school not only has an amazing view, but great professors to boot! The class sizes are small, which means that my professors can get to know students on a name-to-name basis.Everyone's amazing and so nice!

Alexis Anne from Ewa Beach, HI

07/30/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

During the day, we have a public safety shuttle available to transport disabled students to and from their destinations within a 6-block radius of our school. At 6pm, this shuttle is available to all USF students and may be accessed via cell. This shuttle is perfect for getting around campus or getting home at late hours of the night.

Great for these types of students

USF is known for its outstanding Nursing and Architecture programs, however, I have discovered that there are many tools and programs available for students interested in arts.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Our schools has a fairly large number of students from Hawaii. Every year the Hawaii Club hosts their annual lu'au, a tradition that has been with the university for many decades now.

What to do for fun

Our school's gym has monthly opportunities for off-campus outdoor activities. My favorite is the weekend trips to Tahoe in the spring for snowboarding.

I've never lived in the typical campus dorms. Here, we have what are called apartment style dorms. So I spent a full academic year living with three other girls in a two bedroom apartment with two baths, full kitchen and living room. The pictures they used online to advertized these apartments unfortunately looked better than the apartments themselves. Also, they don't creatively disguise the fact that when you apply for single or double occupancy, they mean within that one bedroom of the apartment, not the entire place itself. So, I went in expecting to be sharing the apartment with another girl, each with our own bedroom, but turned out we had a total of four girls in our two-bedroom apartment. But, it was worth it to have our own kitchen and private bathrooms.

Yuki from Las Vegas, NV

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Campus Safety

No matter where you go there is a call button if you do not feel safe to walk home alone where security will come escort you home. There is never a time you should feel unsafe at USF!

What to do for fun

There are trips that you can go on if you sign up in the Koret Recreational Center that are cheap for us students, that are on a budget. There are free concerts in the park, which isn't too far from campus, and of course there is stuff to do on campus to support the many sports teams.

Food and Dining

There are an abundance of places to eat at. If you don't want to eat something on campus, there are many places to go that aren't that far to get a snack or even a full on meal.

Dorm Life

As long as you apply early, you will pretty much get your top choice with a pretty interesting and exciting roommate.

Academic Rigor

Academics is not that hard to stay on top of. The classes are small, so you have more one on one time with the professors.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to walk because the campus is pretty big, so you will get a lot of exercise!

In three sentences

The campus is in the center of the city and not too far from anywhere you want to go. The people there have so much energy and are very respectful. There is no other place I would rather be in the world than at USF.

Anonymous

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Bang for the buck

All private schools are very expensive, but if you are seeking a more personal education, then a school like USF is right for you.

What to do for fun

Not only does San Francisco have tons of things to do, but the entire Bay Area does as well! Public transportation from city to city is great, and so many places are accessible. San Francisco has a great music scene, but if the urban environment gets tiring, you could always take a trip to San Jose, Santa Cruz, or Berkeley.

Tips for prospective students

Visit the campus before committing to any school! All schools may look and seem great according to their website, but in order to see if one could truly be happy at a certain school, it is vital to visit the campus at least once.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco is in a wonderful location. Students will not only receive a great education, but they will also be exposed to real life in a very diverse city. Also, being a smaller private school gives students more one on one time with staff, creating a more personal educational experience.

Sophia from San Francisco, CA

Whether you're religious or not, check out the Church on campus. It is absolutely breathtaking.

Bang for the buck

USF is very expensive to go to and San Francisco is a very expensive place to live. However, they give out scholarships to just about everyone every year!

What to do for fun

There are hundreds of events on campus throughout the semester, such as athletic events, dance performances, concerts, socials. San Francisco has so endless fun (and free!) things to do. Utilize that USF bus pass to explore the amazingness of San Francisco.

Food and Dining

There are so many options! Mexican, Italian, American, Asian, Vegetarian, you name it! They have it.

Dorm Life

I've never lived in the dorms, but from what I know, they are hard to get into!

Academic Rigor

Academic rigor is very subjective, however, the library and local 24hr coffee shops are filled with USF students working hard no matter what time of day it is!

Tips for prospective students

There are many opportunities to join honor societies, research groups, and so on. If you can, pick up as many of these opportunities as possible then do it! It looks great for Grad School and jobs! Also, utilize the professors, your advisors tutors, student advisors, ect. They're great and they will do everything they can to help you!

In three sentences

First off, the campus is absolutely beautiful and in a great location that is walking distance to various San Francisco attractions. Also, the professors are absolutely amazing and will go way above and beyond to help their students succeed. However, the Admissions and Records faculty, which are supposed to help with major questions about Financial Aid, Student Loans, Adding/Dropping classes, ect. seem to be misinformed and give out faulty advice.

Warren from Los Angeles

06/01/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

USF is a safe place. It rests right between the two most secure neighborhoods in San Francisco, has a 24 hour security task force called Public Safety, there is someone on duty all day, every day, and their response if quick. Public Safety Patrols the halls of every dorm at least twice a day and they will not hesitate to stop someone suspicious. In general, there is nothing to be afraid of when attending USF. Public Safety is a call away and everyone at USF is safety conscious

Greek Life

Not much of a Greek life at USF. There are about five societies that I know of that range from business to leadership in the community but they have no houses or special areas. Therefore, USF Greek life is not the strongest.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs here at USF. From the African American Student Union to the Queer Alliance, you will find your niche here at USF. And if not, you can always make your own club. In addition, activities at USF are always on. Baking cookies for charity, taking a retreat, hiking, going on a tour of Alcatraz, and concerts are just the start of the fun here at USF. Seriously, there is hardly a week something is not going on.

Great for these types of students

It's great for students who want to be challenged, exposed to many different people, and who want to have an odd mix of hard schooling with hard fun. You will meet gay people, Chinese people, people from England, people from all over the world basically. And you will get a world class education in a world class city. So, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you will love USF. It's great for student's who just can't get enough of school and just love to get wild when homework is done.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

USF, being Jesuit, has a giant church that happens to be the largest on the West Coast. It is absolutely gorgeous. You would have to see it to get the immensity of it. And to add, the only people that are allowed to marry in that church are students who graduated from the university and faculty. USF also has its secondary campus called Lone Mountain. Lone Mountain used to serve the main campus back when USF was a woman only school. It also happens to be the second oldest university building in California. Oh, and it is not called Lone Mountain for just any reason. It sits on the highest point in San Francisco, hence it's name, which also makes it the safest place to be during an earthquake or flood. That is just a bonus.

Bang for the buck

Simply put: USF is expensive school. The reason why it is so expensive is because they only hire the best professors, have a great location, have up to date and advanced facilities, and is, in general, a great school. So, you get for what you pay for. You pay for a free bus pass, a brand new gym which is free to students, awesome classes, and awesome staff that care about your future. Every penny is spent well.

What to do for fun

What isn't there to do? You can go shopping at thrift stores about five minutes away on the Haight and Ashbury Strip, go for a sunny day stroll in Golden Gate park, go dining at one of San Francisco's many first tier restaurants, or go exploring Downtown San Francisco. The city has free concerts, community events, LGBT Pride Events, biking, marathons, shopping centers, clubs, and other things to do. Food here is spectacular. You can grab a bowl of authentic Vietnamese Pho or eat an awesome inexpensive burger that will give you a food coma. San Francisco is a place for artists, activists, foodies, students, diversity, learning, and change.

Food and Dining

USF offers students a decent cafeteria with many options. On the average day, you can have waffles for breakfast, pizza for lunch, and Kung Pow chicken for dinner. USF has the main cafeteria in the University Center (which is at the center of the university; you guessed it!), one under the main Caf typically called the Under Caf and one smaller one on the secondary campus. The main Caf has the best options for students as it is the largest. Sometimes, however, students find that they school provided meals could be improved and that it way too expensive. USF gives each student $2000 worth of pure food money and sometimes, students find themselves running out of it a month before the semester ends. Each meal averages to about $10. Simple math will tell us that that is not enough for a semester. However, with budgeting and careful spending, the USF meal plan money should last you through the semester. Sometimes, it is to be noted that the cafeteria sometimes seems to close too early. But, with planning, that should not be an issue for those of you who are savvy at staying fed. Rating: Three out of five. While the food is expensive and the Cafeteria may have odd hours, the food is decently good, convenient, and well portioned. All in all: Spend smart, stay fed.

Dorm Life

Aw, the dorms at the University of San Francisco. They have their great qualities and their areas of improvement. Let us start with the good, shall we? Dorms at USF are fun, interesting, and full of great people with interesting and diverse backgrounds. You can share a room with someone from Norway or with someone from rural Montana. Dorms are safe, secure, and have a very helpful front desk. There are full sized kitchens, pianos, pool tables, board games, video game systems, and other cool things to do while living at the dorms. However, the dorm room itself varies. Most of the dorms are USF are about the size of your average bedroom and they are generously furnished with closets, desks, and beds. All in all, they are comfortable and enjoyable. Now for the not so pretty side. Sometimes the dorms can be a little rowdy especially on weekends. No one ever said college was not going to be fun but at times, the dorms at USF can use a chill pill. In addition, two out of the three freshman dorms are not updated. The one that is updated has brand new bathrooms, dorm rooms, and brand new lounge areas. But the other two dorms have not. Lastly, USF is a very small school. Do not go here if you expect to have privacy in the fullest degree. People know people through people. And you will learn how to choose your friends quickly and keep certain things to yourself lest you want to become subject to rumor. All in all, USF dorm life gets a four out of five. Great fun and good vibes but they lose a star because of threatened sense of privacy and rowdiness.

Academic Rigor

Academic rigor? USF sure has a lot of that! At USF, classes are challenging, difficult, and well designed to stretch student ability In general, classes are inspired, interesting, diverse, and fulfilling. But that does not come easily. Superior marks at USF are very difficult to earn and do not go to those who passively wait for them. At any one point, students are spending at least 25 hours hitting the books. That is about 5 hours a day in study. That is the norm here and do not expect it to be easy if you skimp. Let me sum it up: If you want to be challenged personally and academically, learn like you never learned before, be surrounded by students who have no problem debating with you, and want to have professor and faculty that will test you to the limits with no short cuts, USF is for you. If you want to breeze through school, get an easy degree without really working for it, and not having a fulfilling college experience, USF is not for you.

Tips for prospective students

If you are enrolled or are planning on going to USF, here are a few tips that I wish I had. 1) Expect it to be hard. USF is challenging and difficult: personally and academically. You have to be open to challenge from peers and professor because it will come. With difficulty, you have two options: close up and avoid it or take the challenge head on. My advice? Charge the bull. You probably sacrifice some nights of fun but you will get good grades on your report card (and that is where the personally hard part comes in.) 2) Have fun. Here in San Francisco, there are so many things to do. From concerts in the park (that are free, you know) to shopping at the famous Union Square, there is always something fun to do. San Francisco is famous for never being dull and you willl have some stories to tell. Not to mention, USF hold regular dances, comedy nights, movie nights, sporting events, and other cool things to take the edge off of studying. 3) Stay focused. Like every good thing, there is a catch. USF is a fun place to live. USF sponsored a Macklemore concert not too long ago, serves as the Blue Angels practice space, and is generally a fun place to be. San Francisco is full of great food, awesome sights, and interesting people. But, you are attending a university. I know it is tempting to go wild with freedom but train yourself to see the bigger picture: you are there to make a future for yourself. Remember that, and you will enjoy everything USF has to offer you.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco can be summed up in a word: diverse. From the students who go there to the classes that are offered, there are hardly any days that are the same. USF is a school where you will be challenged to the very core of what you believe in and will have fun doing it.

Leanza from Visalia, CA

Go exploring the city like downtown, Haight, Chinatown, North Beach. Also check out all the amazingly delicious restaurants.

Food and Dining

The food is a good variety, but after the first couple weeks you will get sick of it.

Dorm Life

The experience is great. Its really common for everyone in the building to know each other.

Academic Rigor

Some of the classes are difficult, but it more than likely depends on the professor you have.

Tips for prospective students

Try to avoid taking classes in LoMo if at all possible, unless you like walking. Try to get on-campus housing because the experience is unforgettable. One last thing, join any clubs that you have time for, like Tri-Beta.

In three sentences

Located in the heart of the city, it is one of the best universities in California. All the students are very friendly and the professors are always eager to help. The campus is also expanding to be prepared for an even more beautiful environment.

Jaclyn from Mill Valley, CA

Public Safety patrols within a one-mile radius of campus and provides students with transportation during late hours.

Greek Life

USF's Greek Life is service-based. These students represent their organizations on and off campus and actively network with other Greek Life organizations in the Bay Area and beyond.

Clubs and Activities

USF hosts academic, social, and interest-based clubs and provides students with membership to dozens of national student organizations. Through clubs and organizations, students can partake in on-campus activities, as well as attend conferences across the country and abroad. The creation of new student organizations to accommodate the interests of all students is encouraged; however, the registration process requires patience.

Great for these types of students

This is a dream school for self-driven students who are searching for immediate access to practical work experience and internship opportunities in San Francisco and beyond. USF successfully mixes modern with traditional, and has one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse student populations in the country.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

St. Ignatius Church is located on the West end of campus and is a San Francisco landmark that can be spotted from across the Golden Gate Bridge. The Lone Mountain Campus is another scenic part of USF, with deep historical significance (Spanish Steps and a bell tower!). The campus' location in the middle of San Francisco offers students breathtaking views of the entire Bay Area.

Bang for the buck

For the cost of attendance, USF provides students with excellent learning resources and leadership opportunities. Motivated students thrive at this university, and the faculty facilitate smaller-sized classrooms well. Some of my professors also teach at Stanford University and say that they favor USF.

What to do for fun

USF is centrally located in the middle of San Francisco, making it easy to access any area of the city within 30 minutes by bus. Each of the city's districts are well-known and extremely diverse; it is also one of the most beautiful and historically rich cities in the world. Traveling around the greater Bay Area is also relatively easy, with CalTrain or BART, and many students go to Oakland or San Jose for concerts and shows.

Food and Dining

Bon Appetit is the catering company that has an exclusive contract with USF; it emphasizes sustainability and healthy diet, through an incorporation of local produce and sensible portion sizes. My roommate selected USF for the quality of its dining facilities and inclusive dietary options. Peet's Coffee is also served on campus.

Dorm Life

As a member of the Residence Hall Association at USF, I can speak highly about each of USF's seven residence halls. Each hall is diverse and unique; co-ed floors/building and female-only options are available to students. I have loved living in Hayes-Healy Hall this year; the staff in each building train and work tirelessly to provide students with the highest degree of satisfaction with their residential experiences.

Academic Rigor

USF lives up to its Jesuit mission by challenging students to dig deeper into their academics and be self-driven learners. All of my courses have been taken in smaller classroom settings, with significant portions of discussion and practical application. First semester Chinese was the hardest course I have taken at USF, and because my professor pushed us to succeed, I excelled despite a late start.

Tips for prospective students

Apply for the Martin-Baro Scholars Program Living-Learning Community. This dynamic, diverse first-year cohort community combines 5 core-requirement courses into one yearlong program that includes many excursions throughout the city. Students should also take advantage of the opportunities offered by pursuing all of their interests through clubs, student organizations, and exploring San Francisco.

In three sentences

USF is the only school that I applied to and it ended up being my dream school. This small, Jesuit institution is located in the middle of San Francisco; the campus is beautiful and we are a close-knit community of students. This university provides the best leadership development and educational opportunities to students who want to make the most of their college experiences, domestically and abroad.

Tania from Upland, CA

Don't want to walk alone? USF provides a free shuttle to take you anywhere within 6 blocks of USF's campus. Campus Police also patrols the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Greek Life

Greek Life holds amazing mixers and socials. They're all held at beautiful clubs and lounges located in Downtown SF.

Clubs and Activities

The Campus Activities Board holds the best concerts during the Fall & Spring semesters. Macklemore killed the last one.

Great for these types of students

Students who can appreciate the best of both worlds. 3 miles west and you have the beach. 1 mile north and you have some hiking. 1 mile east and you have the city. You can have it all here!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The Del Santo Reading room looks exactly like Hogwarts. Google it!

Bang for the buck

Yeah you pay 50k a year, but you also get a free MUNI pass. You can travel all of San Francisco for free, just for being a student here!

What to do for fun

The San Francisco zoo, located about 15 minutes away, has free Resident days every month. Your USF id gets you in, FOR FREE! Not to mention the beach, just a short 20 minute bus ride away. Not into outdoor stuff? USF has an entire computer lab equipped with top-of-the-line Mac Pros, and a lounge with XBOX's and Playstations, all free to use.

Food and Dining

New York Strip Steaks anyone? USF also has an entire area of the cafeteria dedicated to the Vegan and Vegetarian student population.

Dorm Life

Your freshman dorm will shape and change your life. Your future bridesmaids are just one door over.

Academic Rigor

Professors at USF design their courses to be challenging but entertaining. Some professors in my 300 level courses still give us labs and activities involving cookies and gummy bears. Best part? They bring extra just for us to eat!

Tips for prospective students

Save your monies. USF's tuition is steep but you get the best staff and facilities for your bucks. Also, bring some bronzer. Sunny days are hard to come by. (Unless you're into that look.)

In three sentences

USF is everything you could ever ask for. An aesthetically pleasing campus, challenging but manageable academics, and a spot on the list of schools that will make you rich. We're also blocks away from the best pizza joints in the city: anyone want a slice?

Kaylin from Granite Bay, CA

Campus Safety is okay. I have not had to personally deal with them much. But, if you sprain your ankle, they will drive you to class.

Greek Life

There are only a few sororities and fraternities at USF, but they are not a big part of the overall school.

Clubs and Activities

USF is building their swim program. They just renovated the pool and have a club swim team.

What to do for fun

Being in San Francisco, there is always something going on. On Sunny days I will picnic in Golden Gate park, window shop in the Marina, or maybe participate in a Free Tibet March. On days when the weather is not so nice, I visit museums or find a new coffee shop.

Food and Dining

The food at The University of San Francisco is not too bad. The dining hall offers a fair amount of options. My personal favorite thing is the chicken caesar wrap.

Dorm Life

The dorms are clean but they need to be updated. Some dorms are nicer than others. The freshman dorms, like Gilson or Hayes-Healy, specifically need to be renovated and the not so nice parts are the things that end up bonding you with other residents in your hall.

Academic Rigor

The University of San Francisco is a fairly academically accommodating school. If you are struggling their are professors and tutors there to help.

Tips for prospective students

At the University of San Francisco you will not find a typical college experience. Being in a city like San Francisco offers exposure to many different ideas and exposure to different cultures. If you are looking to party every weekend at a frat house, USF is not for you.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco is a great university in the heart of San Francisco providing exciting learning opportunities. It is small enough for students to know their professors, but big enough that there are always things going on and new people to meet. The classroom extends beyond campus to the eclectic life of the city.

Sydney from San Francisco, CA

All the dorm building have card reader on the outside so only students who live in that building can get in and all guest must be checked in. The campus isn't very big so you won't be walking alone.

Clubs and Activities

We have so many clubs , there is something for everyone

Great for these types of students

All type of students, just because we are a private doesn't me we don't know how to party

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Lone Mountain has the most amazing views... but its a hike that everyone has to eventually take

Bang for the buck

Honestly we are a Private Catholic University we aren't cheap but you are paying for quality

What to do for fun

What isn't there to do for fun, living in the city the possibilities are endless. We get a bus pass that can take you anyway, Ocean beach is a must in September( SF's summer) only 25 min bus ride, 20 mins away from downtown mall, Shopping on Clement st. and going to Haight ( a 10 min walk)

Food and Dining

We have a variety of food available in the main cafe and even more located in outtahere and outtakes, crossroads, the food in the main cafe is sometimes hit or miss

Dorm Life

Dorm here at USF are amazing , i wish i could upload pic. Usually when people think of dorms they think of small crapped rooms, this is not the case, the rooms are nice, spacious, with tons of wall space and in my building we have private shower stalls and all the building are only accessible by keycard

Academic Rigor

Honestly the Prof. here care about their students , a plus of going a small University, you really get to create a bond with them.

Tips for prospective students

If you haven't come to visit, you should the campus is beautiful and you can get a feel for it.

In three sentences

USF is in one of the most diverse cities in California. USF is beautiful and private; yet is in the middle of everything.

Alicia from San Bruno, CA

I hang out with a lot of my friends on the weekend. I also love photography.

Food and Dining

There were a lot of options in the cafeteria, so it didn't feel like you had to eat the same food every night. There is a lot of space in the cafeteria to eat and spend time with your friends.

Dorm Life

There was one very good dorm building, but they had very limited space so a lot of people couldn't get in. I met a lot of great people, but I thought the actual building could use a little work.

Academic Rigor

Depending on the major, the workload is a lot. I spend a lot of time studying, but it does pay off in the end.

Tips for prospective students

Just be yourself, because the community is welcoming and there for you.

In three sentences

USF is a very diverse school where you can express yourself, and not be judged. Teachers are there to help you whenever you need them because the class sizes are small. There are many opportunities no matter what your background is.

Amanda

Eating on campus can be a drag since you're offered the same variety each and every day. However, there are specials so make sure to check those out!

Dorm Life

The bathrooms are disgusting. The closets are small. Overall, not too shabby although highly expensive.

Academic Rigor

Schoolwork isn't that bad, unless you decide to push it till the very last minute. You come to a private university to study and pursue a higher education, so you must stay on top of all your classes.

Tips for prospective students

You must actually study and remain on top of your schoolwork. So it's highly important to manage your time wisely! A planner is necessary for you to plan out when all your assignments are due and is a quick way to budget your time.

In three sentences

University of San Francisco is an amazing school. The campus is beautiful and there is a wide array of studious colleagues everywhere. Students are on track and teachers are willing to help students during office hours.

Nataly from Fresno,CA

12/07/2012

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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In three sentences

SFSU is a beautiful campus, great food, and a medium sized location. There are many classes to choose from, the classes seem small but that's great if you want the teacher to pay more attention to you.

Haley from Escondido, CA

The Public Safety department is great and will always be there if you need them.

Greek Life

There is not a lot of greek life.

Clubs and Activities

There is a club for almost anything, and if there isn't you can make one!

Bang for the buck

It is pricey, but you're really paying for an amazing experience. Its worth it.

What to do for fun

GO EXPLORE SAN FRANCISCO!

Food and Dining

There is a lot of variety, but it can get old.

Dorm Life

Everyone gets to be so close, its easy to meet people. Each dorm has bonding programs and provide opportunities to meet everyone.

Academic Rigor

The classes are tough, but your professors want

Tips for prospective students

Go here if you want a close knit community and if you want to really know your peers and faculty.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco is a community with strong moral values. We are so integrated into the San Francisco, making it impossible not to dive into so much culture. This university cares about each student and wants you to succeed.

Chelsea from San Jose, CA

08/24/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

Within the campus, there are always leadership and major-intended club events taking place. Also, the school gym holds many events, such as zumba, yoga, badminton, swimming, etc. Outside of the school, students get to explore the wonderful city around them using our MUNI passes, which is included within our tuition.

Food and Dining

Food at the University of San Francisco is mostly organic and/or healthy. At the Market Cafe, one of the most busy and largest dining halls on campus, students gather together and share stories about their day while munching on healthy-but very delicious- food. The garbage area is even categorized with a green environment in mind: compost, recycle, and garbage.

Dorm Life

My resident advisors have provided each student with a plethora of opportunities to feeling right at home, including movie nights, ice cream socials, and floor meet and greets. The space provided for students is within reason, as is the bathroom facilities. I am fortunate with such a friendly floor of girls- hellos are always precipitated throughout the halls, strangers or not.

Academic Rigor

Although I have just gone through my first week as a college student, my teachers' approach to teaching are all similar in that they plan on challenging students, yet promise a rewarding journey. University of San Francisco disperses into three major schools, which focus highly in depth of one's intended major. In addition, USF's four year graduation rate ranks in the higher 70 percentage, giving the school a respectable reputation.

Tips for prospective students

I advise that prospective students look at the college application essay topic at least a month and a half in advance in order to best approach the question at hand. It is important to explore the feasible routes of approaching essay topics, and though it may seem as if writing about oneself should flow easily, getting one's point across effectively and concisely can prove to be a challenge.

In three sentences

An amiable blanket covers the school, which eases the socializing and stabilizes the close-knit friendships. This community's goal concentrates on making better of the world, as reflected in its motto. The overall morals of the school and the lively San Francisco environment make this school an ideal learning experience.

Serena from San Jose, CA

There are a few sororities and fraternities in comparison to other colleges.

Bang for the buck

It is really expensive, but USF wants their students to get their education and are very willing to help out their students academically

What to do for fun

Explore San Francisco, attend events like concerts in San Francisco, go shopping in Union Square

Food and Dining

The cafeteria has been newly renovated, so it is beautiful and more modern in comparison to other schools. After the food choices can get boring, but USF offers a lot of options from healthy foods to fast-food choices.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is fun yet at times it is hard to live with people who have different living standards than you, such as wake-up times. Living in a dorm makes the distance to classes a lot shorter.

Academic Rigor

USF will academically challenge you, but there are professors and other services that are there to help you.

Tips for prospective students

Don't lose your focus on your studies during your senior year.

In three sentences

University of San Francisco has a beautiful campus with a renovated cafeteria and new gym equipment. It is conveniently located in a popular place in San Francisco, and places like Haight-Ashbury are a short walk away. The intense nursing program is one of the distinguished programs here at USF. There is a lot of diversity here, which is great!

Lilianna from Los Angeles, CA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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Bang for the buck

Pretty pricey, but then again so is the entire city.

What to do for fun

Its San Fran!!! Go explore

Food and Dining

Food is pretty good on campus but then again if its not up to your taste your could always walk down Fulton St to one of the many amazing restaurants in San Fran.

Dorm Life

The school pairs you with someone you are compatible with and so far I think they have done a great job.

Academic Rigor

The classes aren't so much difficult as they are rigorous. The teachers assign a lot of homework.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you are prepared for rigorous lessons both in and out of the classrooms. Don't expect an easy time but do expect a rewarding experience.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco is amazing mainly due to the city it is founded in. The culture and diversity of San Francisco is really apparent within the campus. This gives students a truly unique experience.

Justin from San Francisco, CA

USF is an expensive private school. However, the small class sizes and good professors make up for it. Our largest class is never over sixty students.

What to do for fun

You're in San Francisco! There are so many areas of the city to explore. Hop on the bus (USF's tuition includes a MUNI pass) and see where it takes you!

Food and Dining

The quality of the food at USF is good. They use local, organic, food. Sometimes, the chefs at the school do not prepare the food to its' fullest potential. There are a large number of options to choose from.

Dorm Life

The dorms here are fine. They are a little old but they are slowly getting renovated.

Academic Rigor

The classes at USF can be challenging. With small class sizes the professors expect a lot out of their students. They also care about the student's work and overall learning experience.

Tips for prospective students

If you are looking for a school located within a large city, which still has a campus-like feel, USF is the perfect school!

In three sentences

USF is the University of the best city ever. Studying in San Francisco is a truly amazing and unique experience. Small classes and great professors makes learning enjoyable.

Anonymous

07/21/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Food and Dining

The food is good but crazy expensive with or without Flexi!

Dorm Life

I never lived in the dorms, but I have visited friends who did and heard stories. Over all, it's an easy way to meet people outside of class, but sometimes dorms can get a little crazy, especially by those who don't like to follow rules.

Academic Rigor

All professors, interesting or not, are all very knowledgeable and willing to help. If you don't understand in class, go to to their office hours when they can break down the lecture and explain slower. Also, not all professors are necessarily easy; some want to challenge you with critical thinking questions.

Elizabeth from Castro Valley, CA

The campus safety is vigilant. Students are notified via email of alerts.

Greek Life

There is a large greek life, and everyone is welcomed to join.

Clubs and Activities

There are many different clubs available to join. There are many activities also. As a student, I am notified via our school email about all instances.

Great for these types of students

All types. Our sports program has a lot of variety, there are many fraternities and sororities, there is a huge nightlife nearby, and everyone I've run into is very friendly.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Our school is a Jesuit school, and as a follower of the Catholic faith, I appreciate the masses that are held on holy days.

Bang for the buck

The tuition is expensive, but you get what you pay for. The class size is small, the campus is beautiful, and they are rated as one of the best schools in California.

What to do for fun

There are many options for fun things to do around this campus. There is a huge nightlife with bars, live music, or clubs available to any style. Comedy clubs are a great way to spend an evening. I like to go to the beach and to golden gate park for a day trip. Visiting the old San Francisco bath house is a beautiful day trip to explore.

Food and Dining

The cafes on campus are fresh and reasonably priced. There are so many different restaurants nearby. With a wide variety of cultural diversity in San Francisco, many options are available. The public transportation is extremely available to get you where you want to go. San Francisco is a big city with so many exquisite dining options.

Dorm Life

I have not lived in the dorms yet, but am interested in them. All of my fellow classmates who have lived in the dorms only have good things to say. They were selected to live with people like them, as they had to fill out a survey about themselves before they were assigned to a room. I am interested in moving there once I start nursing clinicals next year.

Academic Rigor

The classes at USF are not easy, but if you stay on top of your homework, and do what is asked of you you will flourish. Taking a little time each day to do required readings will keep you on top of your studies. A little each day will go a long way in the end instead of cramming at the last minute.

Tips for prospective students

Tips on getting accepted are to keep your grades up , do extracurricular activities, learn a second language, attend a religious affiliation regularly, and have a great letter of recommendation written for you by your best teacher.

In three sentences

The campus is beautiful with vintage buildings and lush greenery. The teachers are extremely helpful, making sure you understand the material. There is a wide variety of classes from general to specific, and class size is small.

The cafeteria has a lot of options. I'm a really picky eater and I still found food I liked at USF. The even have a vegetarian and vegan section.

Dorm Life

A dorm is a dorm.

Academic Rigor

USF definitely pushes you but compared to bigger schools, I felt like the professors are more available and willing to help anyone seeking assistance.

Tips for prospective students

USF is not a party school. Of course students definitely have fun, don't expect to go to tons of house parties because you have to remember the school is right in the middle of the city so off campus apartments are not very big.

In three sentences

I would give USF 4 out of 5. All my professors made an effort to help me and get to know me as an individual not as just a number. The facilities are really nice but it is too expensive in my opinion.

USF student from Los Angeles, CA

USF has public safety staff that commit to our students' safety. They often patrol the campuses and dorms. In addition, they offer service such as shuttle and escorts to ensure one's safety.

Greek Life

The Greek life is growing, but it does not play a huge role at USF. The social Greek life is limited, but USF offers many other academic fraternities. USF 's sororities and fraternities provide a smaller, but unique opportunity of sister and brotherhood as well as an overall great experience.

Clubs and Activities

With over 100 activities, USF provides a vast range of opportunities to get involved. There is a USF Club Connect and many involvement fairs that can help students find an activity that they are interested in. Our clubs and organizations also bring forth an opportunity to meet and grow closer with other students.

Great for these types of students

-Prefer smaller class sizes and a relationship with their professors

What to do for fun

-Free sporting events -Wandering the city -A diverse and vast amount of eateries

Food and Dining

USF has a more than 5 dining cafes that are scattered amongst the campuses. Bon Appetit prides themselves for serving tasteful, organic, and fresh dishes. With popular dishes from South America to Asia, burgers to salads, organic smoothies to frozen yogurt- USF offers a variety of food. In addition, the city of San Francisco has many amazing eateries.

Dorm Life

The dorm life at USF was a truly wonderful experience that I recommend to all students. USF 's dorms have several lounges within individual dorms where students play games, watch television, study, and participate in the dorm activities and events. The rooms are spacious enough and the bathrooms are cleaned twice a week. The laundry rooms are in close proximity on the ground floor as well as the classrooms. The dorm events that involved waffle Wednesdays, talent shows, gingerbread house making, and much more made the experience event better. You meet a lot of individuals through this experience and it makes it easier to visit to create strong friendships.

Academic Rigor

USF offers many academically challenging courses as well as unique academic programs. The university is driven to provide students with courses that allows their talent, skills, and knowledge to thrive as well as be challenged. With smaller classes, professors individually encourage their students to work at their highest potential and students truly succeed because of this relationship. USF prides themselves in having a higher standard for their student's education that is also globally aware and socially beneficial.

In three sentences

USF is truly a university in the best city ever. It has such a wonderful mixture of challenging academics, fun social activities and life, diverse music, foods, and cultures. Also, as a student of this university you have San Francisco as your playground.

Sean from North Port, FL

USF campus is very safe in my experience. It is in a city, but with a small campus and great staff of Public Safety Officers, it is a very safe campus.

Greek Life

Because the city of San Francisco does not allow frat/sorority houses, Greek life is minimal on campus, but if there is a frat or sorority you wish to bring on campus, you may apply to do so!

Clubs and Activities

USF has many clubs and activities. Another plus is that you always have the option to make your own clubs with a minimum of 3 people.

Great for these types of students

USF is truley great for any type of student. Maybe not so much for a student looking for a big campus with a busy campus life.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

For some reason every first Friday and last Friday of each semester, student put washing detergent in the fountains causing them to foam up... it is kind of funny and harmless because the suds disappear in a few days.

Bang for the buck

USF is an expensive school, but in fairness the programs (such as study abroad) are unlike any other school I have seen. USF also has great classes with a small class size, and great internship programs. USF truly does provide more bang for the buck

What to do for fun

There are so many clubs and organizations to participate in at USF. If by chance organized sports or recreation isnt your scene, there is the beautiful Golden Gate park only a few blocks away that is great for walks or jogs with Ocean Beach at its end.

Food and Dining

The meal plan is very helpful. The cafeteria does not change up the food much so its generally the same options, but with low cost supermarkets near by, its easy to buy groceries and cook in the provided kitchens, then grab something if needed in the cafeteria between classes.

Dorm Life

Dorm life in USF improves as you move up in years. They may not be the nicest of college dorms, but they do for sure offer a great sense of community and proximity to classes is perfect.

Academic Rigor

USF prides itself in academic standards. The classes are challenging, but the professors are very helpful. This is one of the reasons that I love USF, challenging academics with helpful professors. Its the sort of environment that allows to to challenge yourself, but feeling as if the professors are routing for you.

Tips for prospective students

Join online (facebook) communities for incoming students, it will help you to make friends before you actually move in. Talk with the financial aid office to find out your options, because as a freshman (and even as a senior) tuition and other costs are very confusing and stressful. Be organized.

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco is home. You feel your sense of belonging and Don's pride right away. It is a small University but makes for a comfortable setting.

Rachel from Honolulu, HI

07/09/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

0 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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What to do for fun

Tourist attractions and visiting different districts are fun things to do in San Francisco, in addition to the parks, if it is a nice day. At night, there are a lot of bars and nightclubs and a lot of concerts and festivals that are in the city. Of course there is a lot of shopping. Students also go to cities in the Bay Area because there are fairs, concerts and a lot of other schools to visit.

Food and Dining

The food at USF is better than most other cafeteria foods, and they really try to have healthy, diverse options. Sometimes the food is on the salty side, but even in the one year I was at USF, there was a noticable difference in food options.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is a good way to meet other people, you get really close to the people on your floor. The bathrooms are cleaned regularly, something that was really important to me. The rooms are on the smaller side, and dorm rules regarding drinking, drugs and guests are fairly strict, but for good reason. Before the rules about guests were strict, homeless people had snuck into dorms! The best part about dorms are that you have the chance to have an amazing view of the city, if you are lucky.

Academic Rigor

I have not yet had any major courses, as I only scheduled core curriculum classes for my first year. My core classes were reasonable, with a decent work load, but not necessarily daily homework. In a lot of classes I had reading assignments and longer- term projects and papers, rather than on-paper work to prepare every night for the next class period.

Tips for prospective students

A lot of professors at USF have had experience at really good Bay Area schools, such as Stanford and UC Berkley, so they really know what they are doing. The city and surrounding Bay Area cities have so much culture and so much to offer people our age.

In three sentences

USF is a small, liberal arts college with a strong nursing program. A lot of classes use the city as a learning tool, something that helps students to be more involved with their surroundings. The campus is also in the city, but not close enough to downtown to be constantly distracted by the nightlife of the city.

Finesse from San Francisco, CA

The Koret recreation center is an excellent place for physical activities and there are many restaurants nearby. The Golden gate park also has some museums and art exhibit showings.

Food and Dining

The cafeteria offers food that is considered 5 stars. There is a variation of flavors from japanese cuisine to american. There is also gelato and other desserts.

Dorm Life

I live off campus so I'm not sure how the dorm life is like.

Academic Rigor

I am in the nursing program. The courses are hard, but I learn a lot from my professors

Tips for prospective students

My tips would be to research professors online to learn about their teaching style prior to selecting them.

In three sentences

The University contains great ethnic diversity. The majors offered in this school are world-renown such as the school of law and the school of nursing. The professors and advisors are excellent and are easily accessible for office hours.

Jessica from Sloan, NY

06/01/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

A+! There's even some vans that drive around the campus area and beyond to pick up students who feel unsafe in certain areas and drive them back to their dorm. It's especially nice for students on Lone Mountain ;)

Greek Life

I'm not involved in Greek Life personally, but it's definitely a thriving community! I have friends involved and they are constantly holding events and things which seems pretty fun.

Great for these types of students

Everyone!

Bang for the buck

A bit expensive, but totally worth it.

What to do for fun

Clubs, sports, Koret Gym has many options for working out (pool as well), or enjoy the beautiful city of San Francisco! It's very easy to get places since USF issues you a Muni pass (sticker that goes on ID) so you don't constantly have to carry around cash with you.

Food and Dining

The atmosphere and quality of the food in the various cafe's located on campus are a wonderful addition and suit all of your cravings!

Dorm Life

Dorm life is wonderful! There are various dorms for freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, so one shouldn't have trouble finding housing. The RA's are very friendly and make your dorm experience enjoyable. The rooms are in tip-top shape and make it easy to feel at home.

Academic Rigor

The courses are challenging and the instructors are very helpful which makes for a great learning experience.

Tips for prospective students

Transferring to USF is very easy, and based on personal experience I was very happy to transfer here. All of my credits came through and everyone I spoke with was very nice. Apply early to meet deadlines, but if you are transferring they may give some leeway which is nice. Also if you are a student here at USF, don't be afraid to get involved!

In three sentences

The University of San Francisco has a beautiful campus with an excellent learning environment. Teachers are friendly and hands on which make learning fun, and they are readily available if help is needed. Students and staff are very amiable making it easy to assimilate yourself in the USF environment, for not only is the campus wonderful but the city is also a great resource for students.

Emily from Campbell, CA

Campus safety is awesome. If you live within a certain radius they will drive you home.

Greek Life

Greek life is becoming more popular at USF :) because before it was nonexistent.

Clubs and Activities

Ample amount of clubs and activities. If you are interested there are lots of involvement with the church.

Great for these types of students

Great for students who are about diversity, equality, and on a mission to better the world!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The cafeteria is a pretty big hang out, also right outside the bookstore they have a big fire place where there are couches and sofas that people hang out at as well. If your a psychology student you will spend a lot of time in K-hall...And all students spend a decent amount of time in the library, atleast through my experience.

Bang for the buck

The university is extremely expensive (everything down to the donut in the cafeteria) and sometimes you feel like you are definetly getting ripped off.

What to do for fun

There are serorities and fraternities that are becoming active at the university. There are numerous clubs that put on fun activities that you can attend, even if you are not part of the club.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved and get to know your teachers. Doing this will only improve your college experience at USF.

In three sentences

The university is great for someone who wants diversity and school involvement. Class are hard and you must be dedicated to your school work. You will be on a first name basis with almost all of your teachers.

Laura from La Quinta, CA

05/22/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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What to do for fun

Explore the city!! There are so many things to do in San Francisco, you almost can't squeeze it into your 4 years at school. Go to the multiple farmer's markets, go on a hike along the coast, visit the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, or Twin Peaks, check out Chestnut Street. The list can go on and on.

Food and Dining

The cafeteria food is really good compared to other schools, and they are trying to be health conscious. I definitely miss home-cooked meals though!

Dorm Life

I loved the community I have had in the dorms. Some of my closest friends are the ones I made freshman year on my floor. I definitely recommend living in the dorms for at least your first 2 years.

Academic Rigor

I'm in the nursing program which is hard work, but you can definitely see the results.

Tips for prospective students

Your college experience is what you make of it, choose the place that you feel called to and go for it. No matter where you end up, you can choose to make it an awesome 4 years.

In three sentences

USF is a beautiful school located in one of the coolest cities in the U.S. The classes are fun, the community on campus is lively and engaging, and the friends you meet are definitely the ones who will be in your life for a long time. I've really enjoyed my experience at school, and in the city surrounding it.

Kaitlyn from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

05/10/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

Not once have I ever felt uneasy walking around campus. Even when returning from a class last semester at 10:30-10:45 pm, where I had to walk across the main plaza of campus, I felt safe. When incidents are reported, the school automatically emails everyone, informing them to watch out so something similar does not happen to them.

Greek Life

The school is starting to have Greek Life, but there is not a specific 'Greek Housing' area since there are none. Don't expect an Animal House-styled experience if you're into that. A majority are service fraternities and sororities.

Great for these types of students

Those who like smaller campuses and want to live in a large city, this is the ideal school for you!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

We're built on top of an old grave yard, so you'll hear a lot about hauntings in certain buildings, especially in Lone Mountain. Your RA will inform you about any school stories/traditions if you're curious

What to do for fun

USF is a short bus distance away from Union Square and the beach, as well as a block away from Golden Gate Park, so transportation is definitely an easy thing to do. San Francisco is a city to experience different cultures, so go out and experience it all! I'd recommend Mozzeria since I am currently in an American Sign Language course and had to go there for my Deaf culture experience. The food is phenomenal, and it is actually relatively easy for non-signers to order, too. It's an interesting experience, in a good way!

Food and Dining

It's a college cafeteria with a majority of its food made in the kitchen and is catering to a large amount of students, what do you expect? However, with its spring semester menu, the food has become a lot more enjoyable, and they are now carrying a larger variety of foods (hence the 4 stars). The caf still needs to have more vegetarian/vegan options, however. I personally am not a vegetarian but the lack of options is noticeable.

Dorm Life

There will obviously be some people who go out to parties and come back drunk, and there will always be that one person who blasts their music at obscure hours of the day, especially after quiet hours. However, my experience in the dorms has been amazing. I have a great group of friends, my RA is awesome and genuinely cares about my well-being, and everyone on the floor seems to get along with each other.

Academic Rigor

One thing that I can definitely point out about USF is that they are determined to get you out of here in 4 years with your bachelor's, 5 years for bachelor and master's if you're studying to become a teacher as well as major in something else. On multiple occasions my professors have emailed me outside of class, curious as to how my experience with the course was going, as well as some resources to help study from.

Tips for prospective students

Learn. Time. Management! I learned that the hard way, and was put on academic probation. This semester, however, I am doing far better than my previous semester, and my professors and Back on Track staff members have been extraordinary to assisting me to be the best that I can be.

In three sentences

A smaller campus in a thriving city, the University of San Francisco is a great school with phenomenal staff, students, and classes. Though the major choices are limited, the professors are dedicated to their work and to helping the students succeed.

Benjamin from San Francisco, CA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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What to do for fun

Try to explore the campus and mingle with students from different states and countries.

Food and Dining

Excellent but expensive

Dorm Life

I am not going to live in the dorm

In three sentences

USF israted in the top tier nationally and among the nation's top schools for diversity. It's committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and creative expression. USF gives students the means to understand and appreciate differing cultures and to contribute academically and professionally across the nation and the globe.

Sheena from San Francisco, CA

There were a few thefts in the pass, but we have public safety officers patrolling the campus throughout the day.

Greek Life

There are many different Greek organizations at this college. They can range from academic, social, innovative, etc.

Clubs and Activities

There's a club/organization for everyone. From academic to leisurely clubs.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are tons of superstitious horror stories that students like to tell newcomers.

Bang for the buck

The college has an amazing gym, lounges area equipped with big screen tvs and some with video games, and very nice study rooms that are used as conference rooms during the day time.

What to do for fun

Like any other college student, I go out with my friends for fun, food, and laughter.

Food and Dining

Food is quite expensive on campus. The food is mediocre. Sometimes there are good dishes but the menu can be quite repetitive.

Dorm Life

It depends on what building and floor you dorm in. Some floors are more prone to partying while others are quiet.

Academic Rigor

Depending on the subject, the difficulty may vary, but there is much knowledge to gain.

Tips for prospective students

If you plan on living in the dorms, wear slippers even in the showers. If you don't plan on living in the dorms, join an organization to meet people because it's hard to make friends when you have to commute.

In three sentences

The campus is nice except for the ongoing construction. The population contains a wide range of diversity and personalities. I'd rate the school 4/5.

Frances from Brisbane, CA

i've never felt unsafe, and safety officers are usually around - they're nearly always around or nearby at night/early morning too.

Greek Life

^ explained in clubs and activities

Clubs and Activities

we have everything from rugby (even for girls) to bible study groups to peta-ish groups to gay-straight alliance clubs, latino/a clubs, some sororities (not like in your college movies, they're much nicer and smarter), we've got basketball, baseball... the list goes on forever.

Great for these types of students

- open minded - not afraid to express themselves/afraid of others doing this - lovers and fighters for love (not just romantic) - social justice lovers - art lovers - people who love close interaction with their teachers and other classmates -people who want to be more in college than just a number

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

the education building on campus was formerly presentation high school. it's a beautiful part of the school - well it all is besides the construction being done haha. but when the new science building is finished it will be amazing!

Bang for the buck

i am a mostly-financial aid student and i really wish costs were even just $3,000 less per semester cause that would save me! but as far as a beautiful campus, breath-taking church (and i'm not religious), a super supportive staff, friendly students and overall awesomeness, it's pretty good. especially because the school is really generous with grants and scholarships. they gave me a grant for over $18,000 just for financial need (not including my grades). for applying with a 3.63 gpa they gave me a $7,000 scholarship that's renewable for four years as long as i keep up a 3.0 gpa. and if you really do need more money, the one stop office for financial aid will tell you to have your parents apply for a plus loan (from the federal government) even if your parents have crap credit (mine do). and when you get a rejection letter, you notify the school and they will help you get approved for an increase on your federal unsubsidized loan. (if this is jibberish, they'll explain everything better).

What to do for fun

everyone here goes downtown shopping in westfield mall which is super easy to get to by public transportation and it's amazing! it's beautiful, huge, and overall just amazing. there are like four floors filled with endless amounts of stuff to do, taste, try on and just experience. another big thing here is going to the always interesting and limit-testing haight street which is within walking distance to school. this is where everyone goes for cool, interesting clothes, organic tea shops, and of course tattoo and piercing places. and on campus there is usually something going on just about every night. and every event is publicized on bulletin boards all over campus.

Food and Dining

we do have a wide selection around noon (when it is unreasonably packed with people) but they run out of the tasty nutritious stuff too quickly, all that gets left is hamburgers and fries and pizza and burritos - which is all pretty good (well the pizza has gone downhill since fall) but after a few days of eating that and being in class when the good food is being served.... it can get annoying.

Dorm Life

i live in phelan hall (recently renovated) and it's absolutely beautiful. the only thing to watch out for is gilson hall. phelan used to be the jock building so it was trashy and stinky but now gilson is inheriting the name ghetto gilson. i think they'll renovate that building this summer but i can't say for sure...

Academic Rigor

it's tough in some, few classes but most teachers here actually want to see yo succeed. crazy right? here it's not. teachers have a passion for teaching and really, truly want you to understand or even go so far as love what they are talking about. teachers here love students who have strong opinions and who participate in discussions. the rest is pretty easy. oh yeah, they love it when you see them out of class during their office hours. even if you just sit with them and talk about a movie that just came out, or just to do your homework, they like to know more about you. plus, this way when they have to write you a letter of recommendation they know a lot about you and have tons to say.

Tips for prospective students

write an honest, good essay in your applications. your gpa and sat scores are not all of who you are, they barely represent you. with interesting letters of recommendations from people who really know the type of person as well as the type of student you are, usf is more likely to overlook iffy scores and gpas. they want overall, good, interesting people to come to their school cause no other type of people could possibly fit in here.

In three sentences

usf is a school for every type of person who is at least accepting of all other types of people. being in san francisco, this school is filled with just about every kind of person from everywhere in the world, from a small village in ohio, to a big city on louisiana to china - everyone comes here to get along with everyone and to fit in. everyone fits in because everyone is here.

Myesha from Martinez, CA

san francisco and the bay area have a lot to offer, culture, dining, arts, entertainment!

Tips for prospective students

make sure you have completed all of your general education classes before transferring here, especially philophosy.

In three sentences

i love the diversity this school has, the professional learning programs are great for a busy adult such as myself. great campus locations make it difficult to come up with an excuse not to finish your degree!

greek life is mostly academic and there are no houses. nonetheless, although it may seem like it is not as big as other universities, they are present on campus and do make a difference in our community.

Clubs and Activities

there are hundreds of clubs and organizations for absolutely anybody and all kinds of interests and hobbies.

Great for these types of students

anybody interested in the liberal arts who have a wide array of interests. those interested in the environment, social justice, and making the world a more peaceful and just place.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

basketball games are very fun, and 'los locos' is the official club to join if you are interested in cheering for your favorite sports. we have homecoming concerts when famous artists perform for the students.

Bang for the buck

this school is very expensive, but they provide you with scholarships and grants, and the education is top notch.

What to do for fun

the city of san francisco is your playground. students get together to explore the infinite amount of fun activities in the city, and the school provides students with trip opportunities (i.e. skiing) and fun events (i.e. culturescape, concerts, sports games) there are also a lot of clubs on campus that are interesting, educational, and fun.

Food and Dining

our cafeteria caters some of the best dishes i have ever eaten. they have a lot of variety and the food is always organic and fresh. there are no fast food places which means that the food is healthy and well made.

Dorm Life

i had great experiences living in my dorm because i met a lot of interesting people, and i had easy accessibility to campus and to the city.

Academic Rigor

the professors make sure that you are on track with assignments because they care about what they are teaching, and about their students' learning.

Tips for prospective students

if you like small class sizes, this school is perfect for you. make sure to stay involved because although it is a small university, you could miss out on important and fun events. attend those events to make friends and learn about your community. stay on top of your work!

In three sentences

this university is great for social service and catering to our community. the majors are designed to provide a liberal arts education, while preparing students for the real world. there is great diversity on campus, and opportunities to join clubs or organizations are endless.

Elizabeth from Pacifica, CA

01/02/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

I think that the University of San Francisco is a wonderful school for all races and cultures. This university values individuals' culture and beliefs while standing strong with the goal of making the world a better place. It is a wonderful school that motivates the individual to strive for something more than just attaining a degree.

Tips for prospective students

The advice I would give prospective students is to value your education when looking for the right school. Choosing the right college to attend is like buying a new pair of shoes. Try them on, walk around in them and if you like them use your resources: family, college staff, to help you achieve your goals.

Bang for the buck

Being a single mother of two children I find that the Tuition is very high and the only way I am able to attend this school is through student loans. However, I am always looking for scholarships and grants to help with my student fees and expenses. Although I have not been very successful I am trusting that the education I receive at this institution will pay off in the end.

Am enjoying being here

I am enjoying being at the University of San Francisco, it is a beautiful campus with a wonderful reputation. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this school.

Am learning a lot

Spring 2012 is my third semester at the University of San Francisco and I highly recommend this University to nursing majors. The professors are very helpful and intuitive to each student and present the subjects well.

Know your declared major, USF is a great school if you already know exactly what you want. If unsure USF might not be your best bet at first. Try state schools or community colleges to explore majors and then keep USF in mind for transferring to.

Bang for the buck

The tuition at USF is very expensive but the amount of opportunity you have to learn and the experience is priceless.

Am enjoying being here

USF offers a beautiful campus and in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, what more can you ask for.

Am learning a lot

The nursing program at USF is wonderful and vigorous. I have been challenged mentally, emotionally & psychologically, which i believe is a recipe for success and preparation for the real world and what my life will be like as a nurse.

Frances from Brisbane, CA

Open-minded, thoughtful, caring students who enjoy getting to know their teachers, their inner selves, other students, and participate or at least respect social justice movements.

Tips for prospective students

If you're afraid your GPA isn't high enough or that your SAT scores are not the greatest, it's okay. At USF and other small private universities the people who go through applications will be far more impressed with a student who turns in thoughtful, personal essays and meaningful, unique letters of recommendation than a person with pointless essays, dry letters of recommendation and good grades/SAT scores. Not that grades do not matter - they do. But being open, honest, and unique in your essays will give you a big push above others similar to you in the number world (test scores and grades).

Bang for the buck

The only downside is that living on campus means you have to use the Flexi-Meal-Plan in the cafeteria. For someone who doesn't eat very much that means having about $2,000 per semester and only using $1,200 of it. The money is transferable during the same school year (what you have left over in the Fall goes on to add to the Spring, but it does not transfer over the summer). I just wish I could use the left over money toward my student loans/paying for next school year rather than forcing myself to eat more.

Am enjoying being here

The people are great and even the teachers who might seem stern are actually very supportive of you in and outside of the classroom. The teachers here love students who are involved, ask questions, and support social justice.

Am learning a lot

Especially being in the Saint Ignatius Institute (a Great Books Program/ Learning Community), I am learning a great deal while enjoying what I am learning from the wonderful teachers here.

Gv

12/31/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This university is great for all types of students who are looking for something different in a great environment. Whatever your personality may be, you will find people that are like you and people that are the opposite of you whom might turn into your best friends.

Tips for prospective students

Get out every day and explore the city; the transportation system is very reliable and free. The better you get to know the city, the easier it is to plan memorable weekends with friends, loved ones, and that special person in your life. Another thing, Phelan Hall was just re-modelled this year, you should definitely choose to live in this hall!

Bang for the buck

It's a private University, so you bet tuition is expensive. However, you are paying for great education with a wonderful campus in one of the funnest cities in America. On-campus housing is a little expensive, but beneficial because the dorms are just feet away from the classrooms, the library, the cafeteria, the gym, etc.

Am enjoying being here

It's San Francisco! There's always something to do! Of course I'm having fun here! The people are very diverse, so it's pretty easy to find quality friends with whom you can experience awesome adventures throughout the city. It's a small campus, but students are always willing to go out. For some reason, you can never really finish exploring the city of San Francisco.

Am learning a lot

Every class is essential, regardless if it's a major course or a core requirement, you learn from it. Sure some classes may be long and boring, but the skills that you learn from the class are useful and can be applied to everyday life. Other classes might be very difficult and you could hate yourself for not dropping it at the beginning of the semester, but you realize that the material is a very interesting topic so you ultimately pull through it and learn a lot.

Kaitlin from Sacramento, CA

11/09/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This is an awesome school for anyone who indeed wants to change the world and receive a beautiful degree. A degree from the University of San Francisco will look good no matter where you go-- if you want to work hard and be involved in the school and the city, then this is the place for you.

Tips for prospective students

If you are anything like me and struggle financially, apply early for scholarships, grants, and any other financial aid. It is important to get that out of the way early in the game so you aren't stressing about it later (like me).

Bang for the buck

Honestly, I went to community college first and got the same quality of education. It feels like I am paying for the landscape and beauty of the school rather than the education. Although the learning is top notch, I received the same in community college. Remember that this will change from professor to professor. Just do not expect delicious cafeteria food and top notch education everywhere you go.

Am enjoying being here

The school is in a very good neighborhood in the heart of San Francisco! It doesn't get much more exciting than that. The people are great; however, it is not uncommon to run into cliques. I have had the most fun getting involved in extra curricular activities and taking advantage of what the city has to offer.

Am learning a lot

I have indeed been learning a lot since I have been here; it is a great school with some hearty core values that will help you for the rest of your life. Generally, this is a campus full of professors dedicated to your education. The class sizes range from 20-40 students and it is nice to get one on one education when you need it.

While the school is an expansive private school, I am a complete believer that it is worth every penny. Starting with our class sizes and the close relationships we are able to build with professors and advisers. Paying this much is also worth it because I can enroll in the classes I need and as long as I stay focused, I can graduate in 4 years. Graduating in 4 years is something most colleges can no longer guarantee.

Am enjoying being here

USF's location is absolutely perfect. Students are able to live in the center of the city and use the city as a learning tool. There are tons of internships, jobs, and activities in the city that are offered to students to further expand their knowledge and experience with any area of interest.

Am learning a lot

The classes provided at USF are engaging and challenging. I enjoy having courses cover topics that are interesting and help students learn how to apply the knowledge obtained in a class room to the real world.

Johnley from Sunnyvale, CA

The university provide a good financial aid. They have numerous scholarships sources and they are always there when you have money problems

Will enjoy being here

University of San Francisco is cool because it is located in the heart of San Francisco. I love the atmosphere of the school and it enables you to create your own education preference.

Will learn a lot

The education here is excellent. The advisers are always there to help you when you choose and register for classes. They help you graduate in four years, they provide you with many internships and they help you get into graduate schools.

Genevieve from Apollo Beach, FL

06/27/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

free spirits.

Tips for prospective students

Save up as much as you because because you will spend more than you budget for. Bring walking shoes and lose your nerves because anything is possible here is you are willing to go out and make it happen.

Bang for the buck

Though expensive, definitely worth it. Even more so than the school is the expenses of living in San Francisco, which one has to take into account.

Am enjoying being here

It's not too big, but not too small. Classes are comfortable; not 300 student auditoriums.

Am learning a lot

Not only do you learn from the professors, but the city also acts as a teacher in any subject. You are interacting with your environment, and learning about life.

Paige from Sacramento, CA

Anyone, really. But especially those who are passionate about their education and interest in the job and social opportunities that San Francisco has to offer.

Tips for prospective students

When you're visiting, make friends with a student at USF. I can't speak for everyone, but I am extremely passionate about my school and would jump at the opportunity to sit down with a prospective student to tell them all about my experience. I'd be happy to even give out my number or email address to keep in contact and even host a student overnight to get the full experience. I really believe that anyone who is seriously considering USF needs to experience the city as well as the school to get a complete idea of what going here entails.

Bang for the buck

To be completely honest, I (as well as the rest of the USF population) believe the tuition to be a little pricey. It was overwhelming at first, but then I realized just how happy I am here and the opportunities its going to provide for me. Once I sat back and allowed myself to acknowledge this, the price tag didn't bother me as much. Yes, I may have to take on more loans or work an extra job on top of an internship over my summers, but in the end, I believe there is no better investment than in one's education and future. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Am enjoying being here

The University of San Francisco is a perfect blend of college offerings. I truly believe that it can be the right fit for anyone. I originally thought that a big city wasn't for me, but upon arriving at USF, I realized that I wasn't looking at the school collectively and had simply been assessing it on surface traits. USF is a small, community-based campus that offers an incredible education and provides an atmosphere to foster close, personal relationships with faculty, staff and peers. Often times people assume to get such an education, one has to attend a school in a small college town. That's where USF is set apart from the rest. You get the intimate education while still having access to the opportunities of a large, international city. If you are looking to jump into a career straight out of college, there is no better environment than San Francisco. Plus, USF is just a quick mode of public transit away from neighboring school such as SF State, several arts schools and UC Berkeley. I truly feel blessed to be in such a perfect college environment.

Am learning a lot

USF provides an excellent education. All of my professors are engaged and interest not only in your performance in their class, but your other classes as well. They know your name, care about you and are always willing to talk. They also make an effort to keep their course material relevant to your life as a student and global citizen. Current events are constantly incorporated and there are tons of opportunity to get involved in an array of different academic and social topics.

Katerina from San Francisco, CA

Follow your heart when choosing a college and look for scholarships wherever you can!

Bang for the buck

USF is definitely an expensive school but if it has your major it is definitely worth it. Nursing, accounting, and entrepreneurship are three excellent majors that USF has. If you're undeclared I would reccomend going to junior college first.

Am enjoying being here

At first. I didn't really enjoy USF because I was living at home but eventually I met everyone and began to enjoy it more. It's definitely a big adjustment, but once you get the hang of things it's better.

Am learning a lot

I'm definitely learning a lot, but I feel like it depends on the professor you have. Some teachers are truly there so that you may learn and succeed and others are there so that they can teach and leave.

Takara from Dublin, CA

01/14/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

If you want the chance to try lots of different things, San Francisco is a good place for you. You should also like walking, as this is the mode of transportation for many San Franciscans. If you want a beautiful campus with very helpful professors, you will like University of San Francisco. USF really tries to help students get out into the city. Your college classes will likely still have field trips here.

Tips for prospective students

San Francisco is not what you would typically imagine as California. It's cold here. It's advised to always dress in layers, bring a jacket, and an umbrella if possible because the weather can also fluctuate greatly throughout the day. If you are a sun lover, you might get gloomy in the fog and overcast skies of San Francisco. Make sure you keep track of your budget. It's easy to spend a fortune going out every week in the city. For freshman housing, Gillson is an older dorm and has not been renovated recently. Hayes-Healy has new elevators, an extra lounge, the kitchen on the first floor instead of the basement, and mirrors in each dorm room. However, HH is the most desired dorm and fills up really quickly. If you can't get it don't worry. Gillson has it's own pride. For example, this year we house USF's athletes.

Bang for the buck

USF is really expensive. Compensation comes in the beautifully landscaped campus, good and varied (however often unavailable) cafeteria food, small classes, and a city bus pass.

Am enjoying being here

San Francisco is a really cool place. There are endless places to see. Lots of things expensive and of lots of things cheap. Either way, you won't easily get bored. There aren't as many on-campus activities as I hoped; I've found people are more pulled to go off-campus for fun. The city makes up for it though.

Am learning a lot

The small class sizes are great. I've gotten the chance to know everyone in my classes at least by name and my professors. All of my professors have been really wonderful and helpful. I give only a three because while the classes are challenging I'm not sure if it's because I'm learning a lot academically. I think I'm more learning how to manage my time and generally to live away from home.

Samantha from San Jose, CA

10/14/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

14 out of 14 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

Anyone and everyone! USF is known for being a diverse campus. It's a smaller private school but the people they accept, domestic & international students, are great people to get to know. Also, if you love being in a big city, USF is a great location. You're in a great neighborhood and only blocks away from great places and restaurants.

Tips for prospective students

From my experience at the moment, science majors have a lot of work cut out for them. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself, especially if you have a great deal of interest in the sciences, but may or may not feel like you would do so well. Like I've said before, there's a great deal of resources on campus that can help you succeed. If you've taken AP classes in high school, definitely send your scores right away because I've gotten credit for the ones that I've passed. If you get a 5, you can be eligible to move on to the next level of that course/subject. I've heard my friends at UC's who have complained that they still need to take the entry level classes even if they received 4's and 5's on the exams. USF definitely rewards its students. USF has departments catered to Nursing, Law, and Business. Also, they have pre-professional programs. So, if you're interested in any of these, definitely consider USF! Be well-rounded and involved, especially in what you have a passion for! Start early! Try to apply for early action for private college and make sure you do your financial aid information ASAP. Don't be afraid to receive help from counselors and make sure you discuss every step you take with your parents. You need to keep them updated!

Bang for the buck

Even though our tuition is high, even with all the grants, scholarships, and financial aid, I'm getting what I'm paying for. My teachers have done a great job with making sure that we as students know that they're there to answer our questions and help us succeed. They always encourage us going to office hours or give us resources, such as tutoring sessions, The class sizes do pay off because not only do your professors tend to get to know you more, you have the ability to get more attention from them if you need it. The other stuff that we pay for, like our facilities and food and recreational equipment, are pretty well-kept.

Am enjoying being here

I LOVE IT HERE! My classes are only two minutes from my dorm. I have met great people on my floor, as well as those above and below, and in other dorms. For the most part, people are friendly and helpful, especially if you need help with studying for a midterm or test or quiz. When it comes to Glee, you KNOW there's a bunch of people down in your dorm lounge, ready to watch with you! There are so many activities to do. My RA does a great job of posting upcoming events that are on and around our campus (currently, there's a long list of concerts and performances at our school and around the SF area for the next 2-3 months!) I don't play volleyball anymore, but I'm on an intramural dodge-ball team, and I've been going to the gym, spin class, and Zumba almost every day! The location of the campus is perfect for going around the city. Haight is only a few blocks away and, if we don't want to walk, we can just take Muni. Market and Union Square is only a 15-20 minute bus ride. Pretty much, we're in a 20 minute radius of all the great locations in SF. Plus, the recent weather has been, for the most part, perfect! Oh, and if you go to church a lot (or don't), St. Ignatius is only a short distance away!

Am learning a lot

Academics wise, I feel as if I'm doing fairly well for a Biology major. The classes that I am currently taking are Biology 1, Chemistry 1, Rhetoric 130, and East Asian Civilization. In biology, we move fairly quick through our book, even if my professor likes to be more in-depth and takes his time explaining what is on his Powerpoint slides. What's great about our Biology department is that we print out the Powerpoint lectures and fill-in our notes as we go along. So far, my midterm for this class has been decent. If you really pay attention during lecture and take extra notes, keep up with the readings, along with studying (not cramming), you will do well. In chemistry, my professor also likes to take his time in teaching. I did well on midterm because I had AP Chemistry back in high school, so I have a decent understanding of the concepts that we have gone over so far. Again, paying attention, taking notes, doing the assigned online homework, and studying will serve you well. Biology and Chemistry labs will go by quickly if you know what you're doing (biology labs are about 3 hours and chemistry labs are about 4). My professor for my rhetoric class is doing a great job in easing my class into the assignments. Readings from our books are applied to the lessons in class and writing assignments (first they were reflection papers, and currently we are doing informative speeches). This class is a year-long one! My East Asian class is so interesting with my professor. Even though we read two chapters a week on our own, have Powerpoint lectures, viewpoint and response essays on our discussion boards, and a term paper, what I'm reading is intriguing. Overall, I'm loving what I'm learning because the workload is decent and manageable.

IZZAH from KArachi, CA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has not been to campus.

13 out of 13 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This College is great for students, who want to acquire an education in a religious environment, and also for those who wish to live in the beautiful City of San Francisco.

Tips for prospective students

Apply as early as possible. Gather all documents months in advance to meet the deadline.

Will enjoy being here

The life that the University of San francisco extends to its students can assist me in incorporating good ethical changes in my lifestyle. I haven't visited the College, but I have started relishing the prospect of attending the College.

Will learn a lot

Education is the first rung of the ladder which leads to success. It is not just an asset, but a prerequisite without which one cannot compete in the daily activities of life. I strongly believe that education is an integral part of ones life, for it provides one with knowledge which is imperative for human survival and existence. Futhermore, when education blended within the folds of faith and humanity is extended to the learner, it creates a sense of equality and brother. I have been very much attracted towards activities which have an ethical and religious influence on me. I personally feel that by learning and gaining knowledge in a religious environment has many advantages. Besides increasing my academic skill, it will also enhance my religious insights.

Laura from Tustin, CA

If you are the type of student who enjoys the cold climate and reaching out to the community through events and activities, then USF is the campus to consider applying to.

Tips for prospective students

As an interested student as well, I recommend going to as many meetings as possible. I recommend talking to as many students that attend USF to get there prospective and tour around the campus to become familiar with the route.

Bang for the buck

USF offers a variety of scholarships offered at different values. One of the scholarships I am interested in is there music scholarship. I was told to wait for my letter or acceptance (or rejection) *hopefully, I get in* and what you do is mail in a package that has a CD of a recording of your voice singing at least 4 different language songs. You also need to include a head shot, so the staff can connect the voice to the face. Another thing you include is a letter of reference, en essay of how passionate you are for the arts and music, and lastely an arts resume-so the staff knows what type of a performer they will be working with.

Will enjoy being here

I enjoy the climate of San Francisco,wearing the boots, coats, scarfs, and hats are so much fun! Including the activities USF has to offer for students, there are so many activities and clubs that are created and part of the campus. Knowing how involved of a person I am, I think I will enjoy my stay at USF.

Will learn a lot

Considering the fact that USF has different types of students from different areas, I feel strong to say that I will definitely learn a lot throughout ethnicity, religion, and culture.

Amanda from Henderson, NV

07/14/2009

Reviewer is A current student here.

38 out of 39 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This school is great for you if you want a small campus but be in a big city. Also there are so many things to do outside of campus. Also good if you want a small classroom enviornment and it is a Catholic college but they dont force any religion on you.

Tips for prospective students

I absolutely love my school. It is a small campus that is located in the heart of San Francisco. The campus is on a 3 block radius and is so beautiful. It is like a little community in a huge city. This school has division one sports team and lots and lots of clubs and a few sororities and fraternities. The class sizes are really small which is good because all my teachers knew both my first and last name. I loved all my teachers and I am excited to go back next year. My suggestions are to get involved not only in the school but in the city as well.

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